IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


1.0 


I.I 


!f  1^  m 

•^  1^    III  2.2 
2.0 


m 


|l.25      1.4 

1.6 

-« 6"     - 

► 

v: 


^ 


/a 


A 


'c^-l 


e. 


%  ^> 


o 


A 


'^ 


7 


Photographic 

Sciences 
Corporation 


23  Wis)  M«£.    .<  ^rREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

(716)  872-4503 


w^ 


;v 


4t>^ 


:\ 


^<b 


v 


"^ 


\ 


O^ 


% 


^^ 


CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHIVI/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historiques 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notes/Notes  techniques  et  bibliographiques 


The  Institute  has  attempted  to  obtain  the  best 
original  copy  available  for  filming.  Features  of  this 
copy  which  may  be  bibliographically  unique, 
which  may  alter  any  of  the  imaces  in  the 
reproduction,  or  which  may  significantly  change 
the  usual  method  of  filming,  are  checked  below. 


D 


D 


D 


D 


v 


Coloured  covers/ 
Couverture  de  couleur 


I      I    Covers  damaged/ 


Couverture  endommag^e 


Covers  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Couverture  restaur^e  et/ou  pellicul^e 


I      I    Cover  title  missing/ 


Le  titre  de  couverture  manque 


I      I    Coloured  maps/ 


Cartes  giographiques  en  couleur 


Colourerj  ink  (i.e.  other  than  blue  or  black)/ 
Encre  de  couleur  (i.e.  autre  que  bleue  ou  noire) 


I      I    Coloured  plates  and/or  illustrations/ 


Planches  et/ou  illustrations  en  couleur 


Bound  with  other  material/ 
Relid  avec  d'autres  documents 


Tight  binding  may  cause  shadows  or  distortion 
along  interior  margin/ 

Lareliure  serr^e  peut  causer  de  I'ombre  ou  de  la 
distortion  le  long  de  la  marge  int^rieura 

Blank  leaves  added  during  restoration  may 
appear  within  the  text.  Whenever  possible,  these 
have  been  omitted  from  filming/ 
II  se  peut  que  certaines  pages  blanches  ajouties 
lors  d'une  restauration  apparaissent  dans  ia  texte, 
mais,  lorsque  cela  6tait  possible,  ces  pages  n'ont 
pas  dtd  filmdes. 


Additional  comments:/ 
Commentaires  supplimentaires; 


Various  pagings. 


L'Institut  a  microfilm^  le  meilleur  exemplaire 
qu'il  lui  a  iti  possible  de  se  procurer.  Les  details 
de  cet  exemplaire  qui  sont  peut-dtre  uniques  du 
point  de  vue  bibliographique,  qui  peuvent  modifier 
une  image  reproduite,  ou  qui  peuvent  exiger  une 
modification  dans  la  mdthode  normale  de  filmage 
sont  indiquis  ci-dessous. 


I      I    Coloured  pages/ 


Pages  de  couleur 

Pages  damaged/ 
Pages  endommagies 


□    Pages  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Pages  restaur^es  et/ou  pellicul6es 


a 


n 


Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxed/ 
Pages  ddcolor^es,  tachetdes  ou  piqu^es 

Pages  detached/ 
Pages  ddtach^es 

Showthrough/ 
Transparence 

Quality  of  print  varies/ 
Quality  inigale  de  {'impression 


r     I    Includes  supplementary  material/ 


Comprend  du  material  suppl^mentaire 

Only  edition  available/ 
Seule  Edition  disponible 


Pages  wholly  or  partially  obscured  by  errata 
slips,  tissues,  etc.,  have  been  ref limed  to 
ensure  the  best  possible  image/ 
Les  pages  totalement  ou  partiellement 
obscurci^s  par  un  feuillet  d'errata,  une  pelure, 
etc..  ont  6t6  film^es  i  nouveau  de  facon  d 
obtenir  la  meilleure  image  possible. 


This  item  is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ce  document  est  fiimd  au  taux  de  reduction  indiqu^  ci-dessous. 


10X 

14X 

18X 

22X 

26X 

30X 

v.' 

12X 


16X 


20X 


24X 


28X 


32X 


The  copy  filmed  here  has  been  reproduced  thanks 
to  the  generosity  of: 

University  of  Sasicatchewan 
Sasicatoon 


L'exemplaire  film6  fut  reproduit  grflce  ^  ia 
g6n6rosit4  de: 

University  of  Sasicatchewan 
Saslcatoon 


The  images  appearing  here  are  the  best  quality 
possible  considering  the  condition  and  legibility 
of  the  original  copy  and  in  keeping  with  the 
filming  contract  specifications. 


Las  images  suivantes  ont  4t6  reproduites  avec  ie 
plus  grand  soin,  compte  tenu  de  la  condition  et 
de  ia  netteti  de  l'exemplaire  filmi.  et  en 
conformity  avec  les  conditions  du  contrat  de 
filmage. 


Original  copies  in  printed  paper  covers  are  filmed 
beginning  with  the  front  cover  and  ending  on 
the  last  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, or  the  back  cover  when  appropkiat«>.  All 
other  original  copies  are  filmed  beginning  on  the 
first  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, and  ending  on  the  last  page  with  a  printed 
or  illustrated  impression. 


Les  exemplalres  originaux  dont  la  couverture  en 
papier  est  impHmie  sont  fllmds  en  commen^ant 
par  Ie  premier  plat  et  en  terminant  soit  par  ia 
dernldre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration,  soit  par  ie  second 
plat,  salon  Ie  cas.  Tous  les  autres  exemplalres 
originaux  sont  filmte  en  commenpant  par  la 
premiere  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration  et  en  terminant  par 
ia  derniire  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 


The  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  —»- (meaning  "CON- 
TINUED "),  or  the  symbol  V  (meaning  "END"), 
whichever  applies. 


Un  des  symboles  suivants  epparaftra  sur  ia 
dernlAre  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  Ie 
cas:  Ie  symboie  --*>  signifie  "A  SUIVRE  ".  ie 
symbole  V  signifie  "FIN  ". 


iVIaps,  plates,  charts,  etc.,  may  be  filmed  at 
different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  large  to  be 
entirely  included  in  one  exposure  are  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  frames  as 
required.  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  the 
method: 


Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  dtre 
fllmte  d  des  taux  de  reduction  diffvSrents. 
Lorsque  Ie  document  est  trop  grand  pour  dtre 
reproduit  en  un  seui  clich6,  il  est  fiimi  d  partir 
de  Tangle  supArieur  gauche,  de  gauche  d  droite, 
et  de  haut  en  bas,  en  prenant  Ie  nombre 
d'images  ndcessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
illustrent  ia  m^thode. 


1 

2 

3 

1 

2 

3 

4 

S 

6 

c 


CJU\A-^--^l^ 


6X- 


^H.i 


f 


V 


AMERICAN  ORNITHOLOGY; 


f^. 


NATURAL    HISTORY 


Birds  of  the  United  States. 

ILLUST(RATE(D   WITH    'PLATES 
ENGRAVED   FROM   DRAWINGS   FROM  NATURE. 

BY 

ALEXANDER  WILSON 

AND 

CHARLES  LUCIAN   BONAPARTE. 


POPULAR    EDITION. 


Vol.  I. 


PHILADELPHIA : 

PORTER    &    CO  ATES, 

882  CHESTNUT  STREET. 


OECoiMi: 


502749 


CONTENTS  OF  VOL.  I. 


Editor's  Prefaoe,  .  . 

Preface  to  the  Life  of  Wilson,        .  .  . 

Sketch  of  the  Life  of  Wilson, 

Introduction,  .  .  .'  . 

Vuftur  aura,  Turkey  Vulture  or  Turkey-buzzard, 

jota,  Black  Vulture  or  Carrion  Crow,  . 

Falco  peregrinuSy  Great-footed  Hawk, 

Sparveriut,  American  Sparrow  Hawk,  female, 

male, 

Columbarius,  Pigeon  Hawk, 

kucocephalus,  White-headed  or  Bald  Eagle, 

ossi/ragus,  Sea  Eagle, 

/ulvu»,  Ringtail  Eagle, 

halimtm,  Fish-Hawk  or  Osprey, 

atricapillus,  Ash-colored  or  Black-cap  Hawk, 

borealis,  Red-tailed  Hawk, 

Levertanus,  American  Buzzard, 

Pennsylvanicux,  Slate-colored  Hawk,  . 

velox,  Sharp-shinned  Hawk,        .  , 

Penmylvanicm,  Broad-winged  Hawk,  . 

/urcatus,  Swallow-tailed  Hawk,  . 

Mississippieriiis,  Mississippi  Kite, 

lagopm,  Rough-legged  Falcon, 

niger,  Black  Hawk, 

variety, 

hi/emalis,  Winter  Falcon, 

lineatus,  Red-shouldered  Hawk. 

uliginosus,  Marsh  Hawk, 
Strix  nyctea,  Snow  Owl, 

Hudtonia,  Hawk  Owl, 

nchuloia,  Barred  Owl,     . 

flammea,  White  or  Barn  Owl, 

patserina,  Little  Owl, 


MSI 

vii 

\x 

xi 

1 

11 

16 

23 

29 

31 

33 

34 

42 

47 

49 

58 

59 

.   61 

62 

.   64 

66 

68 

70 

.   72 

74 

76 

76 

.   78 

79 

81 

84 

86 

88 

91 

(T) 


VI 


CONTENTS   OF   VOL.    I. 


i  ! 


I 


Strix  hrcKhjfOtoi,  Short-eared  Owl,  .  • 

Virginiana,  Great-horned  Owl,  . 

otut,  Long-eared  Owl, 
nmvia,  Mottled  Owl,      .  .-  . 

.ano,  Red  Owl,         .... 
Lanitu  exeubitor,  Great  American  Shrike  or  Butcher- 

Oandinentu,  Loggerhead  Shrike,  . 

PiiUacui  Caroltneniit,  Carolina  Parrot,  . 

Oorvui  corax,  Raven,         .... 
cofonCj  v^row,  .  •  • 

Cofumbianus,  Clark's  Crow,  .  . 

oui/raffua,  Fish  Crow,  .  . 

pica,  Magpie,  .... 

cruto^tM,  Blue  Jay,      .  <%  . 

Canaden$it,  Canada  Jay,     .  .  . 

Oriohu  BtUtimonu,  Baltimore  Oriole,  male,     . 

female,         . 
tnulatut,  Orchard  Oriole,  .  . 

Oraeula  /ei-ruginea,  Rusty  Grakle,  .  . 

quitcala,  Purple  Grakle,  . 

Cucului  Carolinensit,  Yellow-billed  Cuckoo,  . 

trythrophthnlmut,  Black-billed  Cuckoo, 
Picut  prmcipali$,  Ivory-billed  Woodpecker, 
pUeatvs,  Pileated  Woodpecker,    . 
awatuSy  Golden  winged  Woodpecker,  . 

eryihrocephalui.  Red-headed  Woodpecker, 
vartiM,  Yellow-bellied  Woodpecker,  . 

vilhnu,  Hairy  Woodpecker,        .  . 

pubescen$.  Downy  Woodpecker,  .  . 

queridus,  Redcockaded  Woodpecker, 
torguatu»,  Lewis's  Woodpecker,  .  . 

Carolinui,  Red-bellied  Woodpecker, 
SUta  Carolinentis,  White-breasted  Nuthatch,  . 

varia,  Red-bellied  Nuthatch, 
pwdUa,  Brown-headed  Nuthatch,       .  . 

Alcedo  alcj/on,  Belted  Kingfisher,         .  ,~ 

Certhia  famHiaris,  BroT/n  Creeper, 

mnculcta,  Black  and  Whi^e  Creeper, 
Oaroliniana,  Great  Carolina  Wren,  , 

palmtrts,  Marsh  Wren,  .  . 

Trochihu  colvhru,  Humming  Bird,  .  .  . 


bird, 


98 
94 
07 
99 
101 
102 
107 
108 
116 
121 
128 
129 
181 
184 
140 
14t 
146 
147 
164 
166 
160 
162 
168 
167 
169 
175 
179 
181 
188 
187 
188 
189 
191 
194 
195 
197 
199 
202 
208 
206 
208 


I'l 

Hull 


A 


/ 


I'l.ATK   1.— I,   llliK'  Jiiy.    2.  Yfllow-bliil,  or  (■oiaiim.li.     % 

Il:illiiiir>ri'-liinl. 


I'l.ATii  2.— 1.  U.mhI  riiriisli.  2.  Kid-brrastwl  Thrusli,  ur 
Itiibiii.  ;i.  Wliitc-brcnstwl,  Ulai'k-<:a|jpi'il  Kiillmtrli.  4.  Kwi- 
btlliiil,  Hbi(k-iiip|ii.il  Niitbiilih. 


I'l.ATK  II.- 1.  (ii)lil-»iiij;(il  \VoiKl|ic'cki'r.     2.  Ulaik-llinmlfd  I'i.atk  4  — ••ribiiril  Orbilr.     1.  IVimilf.    2  uiid  3.  .Mali's  of 

liiiiiiiiiif.    :t.  lllni'-liiMl  till'  srcoml  unil  ihiiil  yi'»rs.    4,  Mali'   in  coiiipli'li'  |iliiiiiage. 

a.  Kdif  of  tl"'  Ori'lianI  Orioli-.    b.  Ken  "f  H"'  Hallimori'  nrlolc 


^! 


IM.AIK  .'i.- 1.  liriiit  Aiiii'rii'iui    .'"hrikr,  ur  lliilcliir-liiril. 
I'iiio  (Iroslu'iik.    :t.  Kiiliy-iriiwrird  Willi.    4.  Sliori' I.aik. 


I'l.ATK  I'l.— 1.  Miiryliiiid  Yill'in-ilimul.  J.  Vi'llow-lirtii.stid 
t'littl.  :t.  Sniiimcr  Unl-liinl.  4.  I'lniiilr.  .I.  Iiiili;,'i>bir(l.  fl. 
Americun  Iti'Uaturt. 


I'l.ATK  7.-1.   Cidiir-hiiil.      .'     I{i'(l-lji|lii'<l    WoDiliiirkiT     :!.  I'i.atK  f.— 1    llinwii   Cmii.r     ■-'.  (iiililiii-irostcil  Wren.     S. 

Ytlliptt-llirimiia  I'lyiimluT.    -4.  I'lirpli'  I'iiuli.  llmisc  Wnii.    1. 1!liuk-(ii|i|)i'il  Tiiiiioii.ti'.  .I.  Cri'-stcil  Tiliiioiu*. 

Ci    Willi. r  Willi. 


I'l  ATI!  il.-l.    Itiil-lMUil.il    \ViK«l|MTk.r      •-'.    Y.lli.w.lMllinl  i'l  \TK  III  -  1     MmUiliK-l.liil      •-'.  I;kk».     :i  ^imU.  >r:ilf  iiml 


"iil|inkir.    ;i.  Hairy  \Vii.«l|ii(krr.    i.  iJuwiiy  WoiKlpii  kcr 


I'i'iiiiili'  lliiiiiiiilii^-l>lril.  iii'^l  1111(1 1'Kgs.    9.  Tiiwlii'  HuiiKiig.    li. 


I'l.ATK   11— I.  Ciiiiliiiiil  (Jrostn-uk.     J.  l-iiiKilf  aiij  l•^!^'.     ;i.  I'l.ATK  I'J.- 1.  I!ir.' Iluiiliiii;.     2.  I'liuali',     :i.  llcil-i  yi  d  I'ly- 


lii'irraiia^iT.     I    riin;ili' anil  i'i;)(. 


<iitiliiT.     4.  .Mar»li  Wnii.     r<.  t.wm  Cuicliiia  Wnn      r,    Y.  1- 
l<>»-iliri>al  Wailili'r 


i:i.-  I      l'vr;Mit    I  lyi:il 


■lirr.      J.  Iln;il  iri'>t(il  ll>- 


ilii'i-.    :i.  .Shiiill  <iriM'n  <'r^•^Cl■cl  ['lyiaiiln  r.     1.  I'lwii   I  ly- 


■iitfhfr. 


WiMiil  I'.'Wil  riyciilchiT 


I'lAir.  1 1.- 1  Hi"«ii  Tliiii-li  ■-'.  (icililiii-('iM\vin-il  ■riinish. 
:;.  (  :il-liiril.  1.  Hay-bri'a~lr'l  WiirKliT.  "i.  rlir>li]Ut-»iilril  Km- 
liliT.    I",,  .^I.,llnlill^•  \V:iililir. 


I'l.Mi;  |.-.,-l.  I[.iU,,,k;l,lMl  W. 


rkrr,      L*.  IlltiH  II 


.liiii,|,il  I'l.Ali;  111 -I.  Aiiwiii  :iii  S|iiiriii\v  llii«  k      :'.    1  h  Id  >|ii 


Niilliiii.il.    :i.   r 


inriiii    lhi»k.     t.    Illiii-wiiiniil    Villnw    Wiu-        ;i.  Tn'r  S|i:iiriiw,     I.  Smu:  S|kuiiiw,    ."i  i  l.ic|iiijt  S|i;ii  i.hv.    li. 


hill-     n.  (,i.li|i'ii.»ihi!.,l  WmiI.I.i      r.    l;lii.-i\iil  Vi  lliiw  War  Siinw  lilril 


M.' 


|ll:>ik-llilo:llMl    llhir  Uiill'l.'l 


r^ 


N 


^^ 


I'l 


alhl- 


I'l.ATi-;   17.— I.    AiiirruMii  Si>kiii 


KiiM--hn-a>tctl   (■ 


I'l.ATi:    Is.  — 1.    low    Uiiiiliii) 


IViiiiil,. 


liiMk.      :i   <lrii'ii    llluik-lliroiiliil    WiirliliT.      4.    Yill()W-niiii|i        MhvvI.im.I  YillMW-tlir.iiil.    ').  Hlcii'-mc-y  I'lyi  uIiIkt.     il,  \V).ilc 
\V:ulrliT.     ■>.  Ciiriilciiii  WaiMcT.     i;   .-^ulil;!!)-  Ilyiiililn-r.  ivid  I'lyiiilchiT. 


I'l  Ml.    IIP,     I    .M.ililnl  ii«l.     J.    Miiiil.iw    l.;uk      11.    Ilhhk-  \'i.\\\:    :!".- 1      I.'HiUiariii    TaiiiiKir. 

.iii.|-«liiii' II.  r|iii       I    I'iih-c  ri.|iiii|;  Warhlir.  Ij'uis's  \Vii.i.l|.iik.i- 


'J.    (  l:iik'>  Cniw.     ;i. 


r^ 


M 


(I 


i 

i 


I'l 

Mr, 

U;it, 


'J^^'h 


I'l  \11.    -'1-  I     I  iiriiiil;l    Tiiy 


Snow    liiiiiliiii;,     :i.   I!u>iy 


i'i,\ii:  --.  —  1.  s\v;iiii|i  S|i  ii'i'Mv.  J.  Wliilr  tliroal.ti  SpiiiTnw  . 
■  1.  SiimiiiKili  >|i;iiiii«.  1.  l'.ix-icilci[i  il  Si.;nr"\v.  .").  l,Hi;jr,.r. 
Iiciiil  siiriki- 


Ml.  -IX     I,  II'  ll.'l  KinnH-li.i.    ■_'.  Ill;i,k-;\ii.|-yfil..\\  \V 


111-  I'lvii    .'I-   1     I'Miiii'il   IliMiiiiiL:.     J.   I  Vmiiii',     :i,   I'loili. 


\'Wr.    ;i.  ItlihklMiiniiui    \V;ul.l  r.     I.     \iiiiiiiiiKii  U;ulilrr.     V        luiy   \V;iil.liT      1    \V..iiii,Miiii.'    W.iiI.I.m       :.    V,  ||, 


U-wilU'i'tl 


U  ^il.'i-  riini> 


llMll  row        t'l     Itllh'  lirnHth'Ilk 


,**^> 


ri.Alp.    ■.'."i— 1.    Ml,,,i>si|,pi    Kill'.      L'.    Tiiiiii''..ti'f    WarhliT.  I'l.Ai  i;  Jil— I.  fainlin;!    I'anut.     J.  Ciinaila   1  lyralclicr.    :). 


Kiiilii.  ky  Waililir.     1    I'laiii.'  \Viiiti|.T. 


II'iihI.iI  l-lyialilii'i-.     I    i.ri'i'ii  lll:iik-(;iii|)ccl  I'lycaltliiT. 


I'l Ml;    'J:       I     l'illll:ll.il    ( 

N.l^livilir   W.lllil.T 


r.Misi'.     ■.'.    Illiii'  »;r.-(ii    Warl.Ii' 


I'UTi;    ■-■>.-  1,    (  ar.iliiia  (  iuk"o.     •.',    lilaik-l.illnl   Cuikn 
lUii.' V.lluH-tia.k  W, Mill   I-      t.   \rM.H  l!.'.l-|..ill  \V;nlil.r. 


'/ 


I'l.ATK 

|»Tki'r. 


^ 


^ 


I'nii.  :il 

^iilHul  (11)- 

iiiiiiiitr. 


I 


I'lAii;  -Jli 


-1.  Ivniy-liilliil  W.MMliirik.r.     J.  ril.ali.l  \V...>.1.  I'l.Air-.  :iii.--l.  Itid-wltiKid  SinrliiiK.    ••.  IVmiile.    .1.  Blai-k- 


licckrr.     :•    U'cl-hrailicl  WnodinckiT. 


|Mill  Warlilcr.     I.  U'ssn  Ki'ii-pcill. 


■|\ii.  :il.-  1     AiniTi.  an   ^'rl'^^llill.     '.'.   I'liiiulr.     :i.  \\  hiif 
ii_Mi  I  rll^-llill.     I   \Vliitc-ir"»rhcl  Uiiiitiiit;     "v  liuv-w  iiij;i  <l 


I'r.AIM  .'2.— 1.  SiiiiH  IIhI,     l'.  Mali' Siiarrciw-I.awk. 


hi 


■i 


«) 


ill 


«« 

4 


I'l.ATi:   .Tl.— 1     ll'iiitflili'Kt!i<l    FiiU'oii.     '1    Hiirrcil  (i«l.    :t.  I'l.mi;  :H.— l.  l.llllr  (i«l.    J.  Mii'-iili- 1  iiu  h,    .1.  Sliur|i-liiili(l 

;i|i.>rl-('lirc<l  l>»l.  Kiiiili.     4.  Saniiiiiuli  1  iin  h. 


I'UAIK  IC).— 1    Wiiilir  raliMii.     1.  Matliii'.  ^1.  Ciim 


I'l.ATK  :iT.- I.  ri>li-liii»k 
\    I^'iivl  Snlpi' 


'-'.    ri.-.|i  I  iiiw.    :t.    Killer   I'luvrr. 


j-Tw*«i 


I   «| 


I 


I'LATK  :W.-\Vlllli-li.-».lc(l  K 


jiKli- 


ri.ATKH«.-l    llii.ii  Swullow.     ■.>.  I'l^uiulc     :i    Wliiiv-lH-lluil 
Swnlliiw     ^.  Hunk  Swullnw 


iffrr 


:: 


•i  B 


ni  i! 


^ 


i  ! 


i 


,/    V,,  ■   -, 


v! 


I! 


I'l  .\TK    li'.i.— 1.   ('Iiiiniity   Swallii"        J     ruipli'   Miijliii.     1. 
iiiKili'.    4.  fi.nintliriil  Wurlil.'i- 


I'l.AII.   10- 1.  Nii;lil-liii«k      -J    I'limilc. 


I'lMK    II  —I     \Vhi|>-p""l-«ill       .'     I'llliuli  . 


I'l.AII     I.'.-  I.  Kill  i>wl      .'    \\  iiililiiii;  ll\.  :il<  liiM,     .1,   I'm 

pjr  riihti        I     Ur"«M   I.i.vl, 


J 


IP* 


!!! 


I'i.at; 

■I'iilu-li. 


Wr 


h: 


U  i 


>i 


i-i 


i 


'  ' 


I'l.A 

lll'llllc 


\-h.r. 


I'l.ATK  .1(1.— 1.  (Ircnl  llnriicil  Owl.    J    U^inidwl     .">.  Sniull 
liiiidc'il  Klyi'iilrlHT.    li.  Iliiwkdwl 


I'l.ATK  .ll.— I.  Loiit'-i'iiri'il  i>«l.    J.  Mar-li  Hawk.    :!.  .-^Wiil. 
Iiiw-lnili'cl  lliiwli 


l"i  \ir:  .'i:;.- 1    lf..l-i;iil.il  II;ih  k     .'    AiiirniMii  llii^-zanl 


ri  \ii:  .".1.— 1  lllii.k  lliwk.  J.  V;irlilyiil  lilai  k  lluwk.  :t. 
Iti.;l-»lMMil.lvnil  lliiwk  I  l'.ni;ili'  lliiliitiwiif  nrU'U\  'i.  I-'i-- 
iriali'  TdwIiO  lliililiiii; 


I  mT 


^i 


1"!  ATi;  r.4.— I.  Iliimil-wiiipil  Ihiuk.    J.  <'li\ii  k-Hill's-wiiluw. 
a  Cniic  .M;iy  WarlilcT.     1.  I'.'iiiiilr  IllMik-i'iij)  WhiIiIct. 


I'l.ATK  W— 1.  KiiiK-tuil  Kimlc.     ii.  Sva  Kiltie'. 


I'l.All.  .M'i.--l.  i;M|iiiMi;iii\  1  luli'W.   •-'.  Uid-liiiiki.l  -Mi|u'.    ;i.  .-ii'iui-iialiiiiili'il  •• 
■I.   M.irlili'il  (iiHlwit. 


'iiipp. 


1   ■ 


n    ,%' 


n  'f^ 


,  1 

-           T 

JL     "i 

f 

r 

f 

1> 

It 

■1 

H 

i 

K 

?  _ 

n 

I 

3   ri 

^  i 


i:   i^^ 


S.    o- 


a     C 


S    5* 


1. 


I 


I 

\ 


\i^ 


ri.iiK 


\\\ hill, 


I'lAllMil— I.    liniii     lIlTllll.      ■.'     NIkIiI     III  IiiIJ 
c.rnil  Wlilti'  ll.n.ll. 


"»H-  ri.Aii;  I'li.  -I.  Kii-.iiii'  >| iiMII.    .'.  Aiiii'iicMii  .\\ii:<i'i,    :l. 

UiivKly  l'ln\rr'      I.  s<'ii)ij<:iliii:ili'tl  S;in<l|)i|i<'r. 


liMi.   r.l.— 1.    l.ucii-i.iiKi    lliiiHi.     .',    IMi'cl    ii_\s|ir-<iililiii.  I'l.Mi    i'..'.,-l.   Vill.iH-<  rcinii.il  lliriiii,     J.  (In';il  llircm.     :!. 


\(  I hiiik'  I  riiih- 


I.   I u   I'ill'll  I'lllli" 


llillrrii       I     \.<:\^\   I'.lllirli 


:,i,§««*-* 


r    : 


U     i 


\ 


ppvpppiililil 


s  I 


t-  I 


r  1 


...    » 

I  i 

.-    r' 


'fT«i*" 


mmmmmj 


h  I 


I  V 


w 


'Nl 


I 


!  Hi 


^ 


I'r  u 


Ml' 


'm 


I'HIK  II,  I.- I.  iiirk-t:icl' ■!    l-lyculrii.  J.     :.'.  Mmky  Mniui-  I'l.Ari';  I!,  -'.-1.    SUiillnw-Cuiliil    l'l}<;i|r|RT.      J.    Arka 


AMlruIclliT.     :i.    I'l  lll;lh'  (in|.|.ll-willi;.,l  \V;l|l,||. 


Ilyiul.h.r.    :i.  S:iy>   llycalclifr.     1.  l-'i'inali-  ilulilrii-civ^lnl 
Wivii. 


I'l.Mi:  II.  :i.>|.    V.'|ln»-lii':i<li'<l    Uliirkliird.     'J    Iriiialr 

I  .nillli'liipi'  Miiy  \V;irlilll-. 


I'l.Aii-:  li.  I -1.  i;n>al  Cr.uv  ltlaikl>iril.    'i.  I'miali' 


'» 


9 


r 


m 


k 


I'l.; 
I"  I 


I'l  \n:  H,  ■>.— 1    ri'iiiiili' <inw  Ill:i(  kliiiil.  ■_'.  (irarij;i'-<rii«iMil 
U'.iil'U'r.    :i.  I.ark  liiii'li. 


I't.ATi:  It,  I!.— 1.  (  rihi^cin-liiiuli'cl  Hulltiiich.  •-'.  I'l'iniilc. 
'I.  Ai'k:iii>iH  .si.skili,  4.  riiiiali'  Aimrkaii  <iul<ltilirli.  'i.  IjII- 
/iili  I'inrh. 


I'l  III.  It.   7.-1.   I'lihiiii.s  111-  (  lill   .-;«.ill.i«.     J    Uuniiwiiii 


iiul 


I'l  All:  It.  H-i  anil  ■-'.  V.niii.:  V.lln«.lH'|li,il  W Ip.cki 

:t    llanil-l:iil'il  riji'-nli 


m 


wm 


^- 


1^ 


MOii 


I 


\Ti    li.  U"  Wil'l 'I'liiki  y.  Miili- iiiiil  liiiiiilc. 


I'l.Air.  1!,  Ill— I.  r.i.iiK  i'<  II;iHk.    2    luliii  Wiirlilir. 


I'r  All.  li.  II  —1.  W'liiir  uiiliil  lliiwk. 
«  11  1,1, T 


rciiialc  tuTiiliMii 


I'l,  »ii:  I!,  U— Hill,-  Hawk  ur  lli'ii  lliirriir. 


••.  ^ 


I'l  in    II. 


I'l   Ml.      II,     1 

l'r.u.ti.,1    •..,,, 
I'i"..l.    liMJip, 


r^. 


'"^■'■Set^'-' 


I'l  in.  It,    1.1.     1.  Ml  Hit  >  .I;iv      J.    l..iplaiMl    LmiK^lPi 
h !•■ 


I'lMi     11,    II.- I.    !  Iiirliln  .lay.     J.    N"rili..rii    Tlirii..tiu.(l 
W.,.«lli.rkii-.    ;l.  Vmiiiii;  lliilli.ail.il  \V...,il|,iikir. 


I'iMi.    It,    l.'i.— I.    Kvi'iiiiiK    (lrii>lii.iik.      J.    I'l-inuli-    lt..M.- 
I.I..1.I..1   ■..iis.lii.iili.     :i.    IriJial..    Wliili'-wiiini'il   (■^l^»l.il].     1. 

K.I.I..I,    lliillun  l.'il.ill 


l'i..^ll.    II,  !■■,.- 1.    I'allas'  liiiiiiir.     'J.  li..luiniaii    \Va\ttiiii{. 
.  I  I'liiali'  rill.'  liiilltiii.'li. 


1         ;     i 


\l 


I   ! 


■  {!: 


i-  Lh- 


v|: 


I' 


ll  • 


Platk  II.  ■.".'- Vuimi:  Mi.l,.  (  „ikI,, 


I" 


w 


¥H 


I  h 


I 


3 

3 


o 
S? 


ft  ?! 


c 


i  1    I 


iil 


I'l.ATK  It,  M.— 1.  IValo'it  Kgrol  lloron.    2.  SculopacooiiH  Courlaii.    :i.  i:»i|iilmiiux 
<'iirli'w. 


I'l.Aii      It     ■.•:  -  I      I  |,.li,|;i    (,allll,lll,V 
IS.Ml 


■J     ^ill.iw-l.rcn*!!!! 


I! 


f  iiUlli 

'    it  raws! 


II:.:  I 


y! 

1 

t 

t 

i 

LI 

PREFACE 

TO 

THE  LIFE  OF  WILSON. 


In  the  preface  to  the  first  edition  of  this  biographical  sketch,  the 
motives  of  the  publication  are  stated,  and  the  peculiar  circumstances 
under  which  its  author  was  placed,  in  respect  to  materials,  are  detailed ; 
there  is,  therefore,  no  need  of  repeating  them. 

It  has  been  thought  proper  to  augment  the  volume,  by  a  selection 
from  the  series  of  interesting  letters,  which  were  put  into  the  writer's 
hands  by  some  of  Wilson's  personal  friends,  who  were  anxious  that  thc'ie 
memorials  should  not  be  lost.  It  may  be,  perhaps,  objected,  that  some 
of  them  are  of  too  trifling  a  nature  for  publication ;  but  let  it  bo 
observed  that  they  all,  more  or  less,  tend  to  throw  light  upon  the  em- 
ployments, and  peculiarities  of  character,  of  an  individual  of  no  every 
day  occurrence ;  one  of  those  to  whose  genius  we  would  render  homage, 
and  the  memory  of  whom  we  delight  to  cherish. 

For  the  particulars  of  Wilson's  early  life,  the  writer  has  been  indebted 
to  a  narrative,  in  manuscript,  which  was  communicated  to  him  by  Mr. 
William  Duncan.  This  information,  coming  from  a  nephew  of  Wilson's, 
and  his  confidential  friend  for  many  years,  must  be  deemed  authentic ; 
and  we  have  to  regret  that  the  plan  and  limits  of  our  publication,  did 
not  allow  us  to  make  a  freer  use  of  what  was  so  kindly  placed  at  our 
disposal. 

To  Mr.  Duncan,  Mr.  Miller,  and  Mr.  Lawson,  the  writer  owes  many 
obligations,  for  the  promptitude  with  which  they  intrusted  to  him  their 
letters :  and  his  acknowledgments  are  equally  due  to  Colonel  Robert 
Carr,  who  furnished  him  with  the  letters  to  the  late  William  Bartram. 
The  friendsliip  which  subsisted  between  Wilson  and  the  latter  was  of  the 
most  exalted  kind ;  and  the  warm  expressions  of  confidence  and  regard 
which  characterize  these  letters,  will  afford  a  proof  of  how  much  of  tho 


*i  I 


■     X  PUEFACE    TO    LIFE    OF    WILSON. 

writer's  happiness  was  derived  from  this  amiable  intercourse.  The 
reader's  obligations  to  Colonel  Carr  will  not  bo  lessened,  when  it  ia 
stated,  that  the  greater  part  of  these  interesting  epistles  were  mislaid 
daring  the  latter  days  of  the  venerable  botanist  to  whom  they  wore 
addressed ;  and  that  it  was  through  the  care  of  the  above-mentioned 
gentleman  they  were  rescued  from  oblivion. 

It  will  be  long  ere  the  lovers  of  science  will  cease  to  deplore  the 
event,  which  snatched  from  us  one  so  eminently  gifted  for  natural 
investigations,  by  his  zeal,  his  industry,  his  activity,  and  his  intelligence ; 
one  who,  after  a  successful  prosecution  of  his  great  undertaking  through 
a  series  of  eventful  years,  was  deprived  of  his  merited  reward,  at  the 
moment  when  he  was  about  putting  the  finishing  hand  to  those  labors, 
which  have  secured  to  him  an  imperishable  renown.  "The  hand  of 
death,"  says  Pliny,  "is  ever,  in  my  estimation,  too  severe,  and  too 
sudden,  when  it  falls  upon  such  as  arc  employed  in  some  immortal  work. 
The  sons  of  sensuality,  who  have  no  other  views  beyond  the  present 
hour,  terminate  with  each  day  the  whole  purpose  of  their  lives ;  but 
those  who  look  forward  to  posterity,  and  endeavor  to  extend  their 
memories  to  future  generations  by  useful  labors; — to  such,  death  is 
always  immature,  as  it  still  snatches  them  from  amidst  some  unfinished 
design." 

But  although  that  Being,  who  so  often  frustrates  human  purposes, 
thought  proper,  in  his  wisdom,  to  terminate  the  "  unfinished  design"  of 
'  our  lamented  friend,  yet  were  his  aspirations  after  an  honorable  distinc- 
tion in  society  fully  answered.  The  poor  despised  weaver  of  Paisley 
takes  his  rank  among  the  writers  of  our  country ;  and  after  ages  shall 
look  up  to  the  Father  of  American  Ornithology,  and  bless  that  Provi- 
dence, which,  by  inscrutable  ways,  led  him  to  the  only  spot,  perhaps, 
of  the  civilized  earth,  where  his  extraordinary  talents  would  be  encour- 
aged to  develop  themselves,  and  his  estimable  qualities  of  heart  would 
be  duly  appreciated. 

Wilson  has  proved  to  us  what  genius  and  industry  can  effect  in  despite 
of  obstacles,  which  men  of  ordinary  abilities  would  consider  insurmount- 
able. His  example  will  not  be  disregarded;  and  his  success  will  be 
productive  of  benefits,  the  extent  of  which  cannot  now  be  estimated. 


I     if 


SKETCH 


Off 


THE    AUTHOR'S    LIFE, 


Alexander  Wilson  was  born  in  the  town  of  Paisley,  in  the  west  of  Scot' 
land,  CD  the  sixth  day  of  July,  1700.  His  father,  who  was  alao  nanind  Alex* 
ander,  followed  the  distilling  bu.sincHS ;  an  humble  occupation,  which  neither 
allowed  him  much  time  for  the  improvement  of  his  mind,  nor  yielded  him 
much  more  than  the  necessaries  of  life.  He  was  illiterate  and  poor;  and  died 
on  the  5th  June,  1816,  at  the  age  of  eighty-eight.  His  mother  was  a  native 
of  Jura,  one  of  the  Hebrides  or  Western  Islands  of  Scotland.  She  is  said  to 
have  been  a  woman  of  delicate  health,  but  of  good  understanding,  and  pas- 
sionately fond  of  Scotch  music,  a  taste  for  which  she  early  inculcated  on  her 
son,  who,  in  his  riper  years,  cultivated  it  as  one  of  the  principal  uniuscments 
of  his  life.  She  died  when  Alexander  was  about  ten  years  old,  leaving  him, 
and  two  sisters,  to  mourn  their  irreparable  loss;  a  lo.s8  which  her  affectionate 
son  never  ceased  to  deplore,  as  it  deprived  him  of  his  best  friend ;  one  who 
had  fostered  his  infant  mind,  and  who  had  looked  forward,  with  fond  expectiu 
tion,  to  that  day, 

"  When,  clad  in  sablo  gown,  with  solemn  air, 

"  The  walls  of  God'8  own  house  should  echo  bark  his  prayer :" 

for  it  appears  to  have  been   her  wish  that  he  should  be  educated  for  the 
ministry. 

At  a  school  in  Paisley,  Wilson  was  tnught  the  common  rudiments  of  learn- 
ing. But  what  proficiency  he  made,  whether  he  was  tlistinguishcd  from  his 
schoolmates  or  not,  my  memorials  of  his  early  life  do  not  inform  me  It  appears 
that  he  was  initiated  in  the  elements  of  the  Latin  tongue;  but  having  been  re- 
moved from  school  at  the  age  of  twelve  or  thirteen,  the  amount  of  knowledge 
acquired  could  not  have  been  great,  and  I  have  reason  to  believe  that  he  never 
ailerwards  resumed  the  study.  His  early  productions  show  that  his  English 
education  had  not  only  been  greatly  circumscribed,  but  very  imperfect.  He 
wrote,  as  all   xelf-taught  authors  write,  carelessly  and  incorrectly.     His  sen- 


XII 


LIFK    OF    WILSON. 


UncoH,  construi'tod  liy  the  ear,  dIIoii  dispIoMO  oiio  by  thoir  gri)«w  violntionn  of 
tho  riilis  (tf  ),'riuumiir,  an  cHsoiitial  part  of  leorninj,'  to  which  ho  never  scriouHly 
applio"!  hiiiiscif  until,  iillor  hiH  arrival  in  Aniorica,  he  found  it  nooessary  to 
quuliiy  liiiiiMcir  fur  iin  instructor  of  youth. 

Wilson's  liitlier,  ffclinj,'  tho  want  of  a  helper  in  tho  novorninont  of  an  infant 
family,  again  entered  into  the  matrimonial  Htato.  Tho  niaidun  naiiio  of  this 
second  wife  wii.s  Brown. 

It  was  the  intention  of  the  father  that  Alexander  t«hould  he  educated  fur  a 
physician ;  hut  this  dosij;n  was  not  relished  by  tho  son,  who  had,  through  tho 
impertinent  interferenci'  <if  some  persons,  intbihetl  some  prejudices  against  the 
profession,  which  were  tlie  cause  of  the  |)roject's  being  abandoned. 

It  being  tiie  wish  of  tho  step  mother  that  tho  boy  should  bo  put  to  a  trade, 
he  was  accordingly  apprenticed  to  his  brother-in-law,  William  Duncan,  who 
then  resided  in  Paisley,  to  learn  the  art  of  weaving.  That  this  dutermination 
was  the  result  of  good  sense  there  can  he  no  doubt;  the  cinploynicnt  had  tho 
tendency  to  fix  a  disposition  somewhat  impetuous  and  wavering ;  and  the  useful 
knowledge  ne(|uired  thereby  he  was  enabled,  at  a  Hubse(|uent  period  of  life,  t4) 
turn  to  aeenuiit.  when  mental  exertion,  even  with  superior  resources,  would 
have  availed  him  but  little. 

The  scheme  of  being  tatight  a  trade  mot  with  little  or  no  opposition  from 
the  subject  of  this  memiiir;  his  father's  house  no  longer  affording  him  that 
pleasure  which  it  had  done  during  tho  life  of  her  who  had  given  him  existence. 
Some  ditfennce  had  arisen  between  him  and  his  stt^p-mother,  whether  from 
undutiful  cnndii't  of  his,  or  harsh  treatment  of  hers,  I  know  not;  but  it  may 
be  asserted  with  truth,  that  she  continued  an  object  of  his  aversion  through 
life:  which  was  m.inifest  from  the  cireumstanee  that,  in  the  many  letters  which 
he  wrote  from  America  to  bis  father,  lie  seldom,  if  ever,  mentioned  her  name. 
She  is  still  living,  and  must,  doubtless,  feel  not  a  little  njoirnl  that  her  predic- 
tions with  respect  to  the  "  last/  weaver,"  as  Samli/  was  termed  at  liome,  who, 
instead  of  minding  his  Imsiness,  misspent  his  time  in  making  verses,  were 
never  verified.  Hut,  in  justice  to  her  character,  we  must  state  that,  if  she  was 
an  unkind  step-mother,  she  nevertheless  proved  herself  to  be  a  faithful  and 
affectionate  wil"';  .'iixl  suiii>orted  by  her  industry,  her  husband,  when  he  became 
by  age  and  infirniilics,  incapable  of  labor. 

At  an  early  jieriod  of  hi.s  life  Wilson  evinced  a  strong  desire  for  learning; 
and  this  was  encouraged  by  a  spirit  of  emulation  which  prevailed  among  his 
youthful  ac(|naintance,  who.  like  himsc-lf.  ha]>pily  dcvot4>(l  many  of  their  vacant 
hours  to  literary  pursuits.  He  bad  f n  e  acces.s  to  a  colleetion  of  inagazlnes  and 
essays,  which,  by  some  good  luck,  his  father  had  become  possessed  of;  and 
these,  as  he  himself  of^cn  asserted.  "  were  the  first  Ixxiks  that  gave  bini  a 
fondntss  lor  reading  and  reflection."  This  remarkable  instance  id'  the  benefi- 
cial tendency  of  periodical  publications  we  record  with  pleasure;  and  it  may 
be  adduced  as  an  arguinent  in  favor  (d"  affording  patronage,  in  our  young  coun- 
try, to  a  species  of  literature  so  well  adajitcd  to  the  leisure  of  a  commercial 
people;  and  which,  since  tho  dayx  of  .\ddison,  has  had  so  powerful  an  influ- 
ence on  the  taste  and  morals  of  the  liritish  natiim. 

Caleiliinia  is  fruitful  i>f  verscmon  :  every  village  hxs  itH  poets;  and  so  prcva- 


J 


LIFE    OF    WILSON. 


Ziii 


lent  in  tho  habit  of  jinglinf<  rhyinoN,  thnt  n  acholar  in  ooriHidurcd  a8  pogHesfling 
DO  tOHto,  if  ho  do  not  uttiino  tho  Hcottixh  lyre  to  thimo  thiMiicH  which  tho  amor 
patn'te,  tho  iiutionitl  prido  of  a  Uootoman,  haH  idcntiliud  with  hitt  very  ozivU 
onoo. 

That  pootry  would  attract  tho  rc^^ard  of  WJ'non  waH  to  bo  oxpootod ;  it  was 
tho  vohicio  of  BontiiiiontH  which  wuro  in  uuiHon  with  Iuh  mmguino  teinpura- 
niont;  ho  hud  oiirly  imbibed  a  lnvo  of  virtue,  and  it  no\f  aHHiitnud  u  ruiimntio 
caHt  by  asMiiniintion  with  the  hi^h-wrou^lit  offortx  uf  fancy,  combined  with  tho 
muhidy  of  Hong. 

Aftor  an  appronticoxhip  of  about  fivo  ycarfl,  Wilson  bocanio  his  own  master; 
and,  relinquishing  tho  occupation  of  weaving,  hu  resolved  to  gratify  his  taste 
for  rural  scenery,  by  journoying  into  the  interior  of  tho  country  in  tho  capacity 
of  a  peddler.  Ho  was  now  about  eighteen,  full  of  ardor  and  vivacity;  had  a 
constitution  capable  of  groat  exertion;  and  a  mind  which  promiNcd  resources 
amid  every  ditBculty.  Having  been  initiated  in  the  art  of  trading,  hu  shoul- 
dered his  pack,  and  chot^rfully  set  out  in  (|ucst  of  riches.  In  a  mind  of  u 
romantic  turn,  Scotland  atlords  situations  abundantly  calculated  Uj  arouse  all 
those  associations  which  tho  sublime  and  beautiful  in  nature  inspire.  Wilson 
was  an  enthusiiist ;  and  the  chiirnis  of  tho«*o  mountains,  valleys,  and  streams, 
which  had  been  immortjilizud  in  song,  tilled  his  soul  with  rapture,  and  incited 
some  of  tho  earliest  etforts  of  his  youthful  muso. 

To  him  who  would  accunuilate  wealth  by  trade,  tho  Muses  must  not  be  pro- 
pitious. That  abstraction  of  mind  from  worldly  concerns  which  letters  re- 
quire, but  ill  qualifies  one  to  descend  to  those  arts,  which,  in  order  to  bo  suo- 
rcHsfully  practised,  must  be  the  unceasing  objects  of  solicitude  and  attention. 
While  tho  trader  was  feasting  his  eyes  upon  the  beauties  of  a  landscape,  or 
i  uiting  an  elegy  or  a  song,  the  auspicious  moment  to  drive  a  bargain  was  ne- 
glected, or  some  more  fortunate  rival  was  allnwed  to  sup|)lunt  him.  From  the 
habit  of  surveying  the  works  of  nature  arose  an  indifTerence  to  the  eni{iloynicnt 
of  trading,  which  became  more  di.sgusting  at  each  interview  with  tlu  .^I^ses; 
and  nothing  but  tho  dread  of  poverty  induced  him  to  conform  to  the  vulgar 
avocations  of  common  life. 

Hums  was  now  the  favorite  of  the  public;  and  from  the  unexampled  succosa 
of  this  Iiumble  son  of  genius  many  aspired  to  tho  honors  of  the  laurel,  who 
otherwise  would  have  oinlineil  tlieir^  lews  of  renown  to  the  limited  circle  of  their 
family  or  acquaintance,  .\inong  this  number  may  be  reckoned  our  Wilson  ;  who, 
believing  that  he  posses-scd  tite  talent  of  poetical  expression,  ventured  to  exhibit 
his  es.says  to  his  frieiiils,  whose  approbiition  encouraged  him  to  renewed  perse- 
verance, in  the  hojn'  uf  emerging  from  that  condition  in  society  which  his  as- 
piring soul  could  not  but  disdain. 

In  con.se(|uence  of  his  literary  attainments  and  correct  luorul  deportment,  he 
Was  admitted  to  tho  society  of  several  gentlemen  of  talents  and  respectability, 
who  descried  in  our  youth  the  promise  of  eminence.  Flattered  by  attentions, 
which  are  always  grateful  to  the  ingenuous  mind,  he  was  emboldened  to  the 
purpose  of  collecting  and  publishing  his  poetical  attempts,  hoping  thereby  to 
secure  funds  suthcient  to  enable  liini  to  persevere  in  the  wuILl'  of  learning, 
which,  to  his  glowing  fancy,  appeared  to  bo  strewed  with  flowers. 


ZIT 


LIFE    OF    WILSON. 


Fill 


'111 


,i '  ;*l 


! 

1 
! 

. 

•^ 

V. 

i 

n 

In  pursuance  of  this  design  ho  printed  proposals;  and  being  "  resolved,"  to 
adopt  his  own  language,  "  to  make  one  bold  push  for  the  united  interests  of 
Pack  and  Poems,"  ho  once  more  »et  out  to  sell  his  merchandise,  and  obtain 
patronage  to  his  work. 

This  expedition  was  unprofitable  :  ho  neither  advanced  his  fortune  nor  re- 
ceived the  encouragement  of  many  sabscriptions.  Fortunate  would  it  have 
been  for  him  if,  instead  of  giving  vent  to  his  spleen  at  the  supposed  want  of 
discernment  of  rising  merit,  or  lack  of  taste  for  the  effusions  of  genius,  he 
had  permitted  himself  to  be  admonished  of  his  imprudence  by  the  indifference 
of  the  public,  and  had  taken  that  for  an  aot  of  friendship  which  his  wounded 
feelings  did  not  fail  to  construe  into  contempt. 

hrt  in  dc6ance  of  discouragement  he  published  his  volume,  under  the  title 
of  "  Po<.ms,  Humorous,  Satirical  and  Serious."  The  writer  of  this  sketch  has 
it  now  before  him;  and  finds  in  it  the  following  remark,!,  in  the  handwriting  of 
the  author  himself;  "  I  published  these  poems  when  only  twenty-two — an  age 
more  abundant  in  sail  than  ballast.  Header,  let  this  soften  the  rigor  of  criti» 
cism  a  little."  Dated,  "(Jray's  Ferry,  July  0th,  1804."  These  poems  were, 
in  truth,  the  productions  of  a  boy,  who  composed  them  under  the  most  disad- 
vantageous circumstances.  They  answered  the  purpose  for  which  they  were 
originally  intended — to  gratify  the  partiality  of  friendship,  and  alleviate  mo- 
ments of  solitude  and  despondency.  Their  author,  in  his  riper  years,  lamented 
his  rashness  in  giving  them  to  the  world;  and  it  is  to  be  hoped  that  no  one  will 
be  so  officijus  as  to  draw  them  from  that  obscurity  to  which  ho  himself  sin- 
cerely rejoiced  to  see  them  condemned.  They  went  through  two  small  editions 
in  octavo,  the  last  of  which  appeared  in  ITUI.  The  author  reaped  no  benefit 
from  the  publication. 

Mortified  at  the  ill  success  of  his  literary  undertaking,  and  probably  with 
the  view  of  withdrawing  himself  from  associates  T;  ho,  instead  of  advancing, 
rather  tended  to  retard  his  studies,  Wilson  relired  to  the  little  village  of  Loch- 
winnoch,  situated  in  a  delightful  valley,  a  few  miles  from  I'aisley.  In  this 
■oquest«red  place  he  had  before  resided,  and  he  now  resorted  to  it  under  the 
pressure  of  disappuintnit-nt,  mid  southed  his  mind  with  the  employment  of  let- 
ters, and  sjKjnt  his  vacant  hours  amid  the  ronmntie  scunery  of  a  country  which 
Via?  well  calculated  to  captivate  one  who  had  devoted  him-elf  to  the  bervice  of 
tLc  muses. 

While  residing  nt  Lochwinnoch  he  contributed  some  short  prose  essays  to 
The  Hee,  a  periodical  work  which  was  published  at  Kdinburgh  by  Dr.  Ander- 
•on.  Of  the  merits  ui'  thc^c  essays  I  cannot  s|)eak,  as  I  have  never  seen  them. 
He  alxo  occasionally  visited  the  latter  place,  tv  fretjuent  the  Paj^theon,  wherein 
a  society  for  debate;  held  their  meetings.  In  .his  assembly  of  minor  wits  lio 
delivered  several  poetical  discourses,  which  obtained  him  considerable  applause. 
The  {Kirticiilars  of  these  literary  peregrinations  have  be.!!!  minutely  relat^id  to 
010  ;  but  at  thi.s  time  I  will  merely  state,  that  he  always  |>erfurnied  his  journeys 
on  foot,  and  that  his  ardor  to  obtain  distinction  diowing  him  away  from  his 
profession,  the  only  means  of  procuring  subsistence,  he  was  freijucntly  reduced 
to  the  want  of  the  necessaries  of  life. 

WiLoii,    in   common    with   many,    wu   desiroua   of    becoming    pcnxinallj 


LIFE    OF    WILSON. 


XV 


acquainted  with  the  poet  Burns,  who  was  now  in  the  lenith  of  bis  glory ;  and  an 
accidental  oircumstanee  brought  them  together.  The  interview  appeared  to  be 
pleasing  to  both  ;  and  they  parted  with  the  intention  of  continuing  their  ac- 
quaintance by  a  correspondence.  But  this  design,  though  happily  begun,  was 
frustrated  by  an  imprudent  act  of  the  former,  who,  in  a  criticism  on  the  tale 
of  Tam  O'Shanter,  remarked  of  a  certain  passage  that  there  was  "  too  much  of 
the  brute"  in  it.     The  paragraph  alluded  to  is  that  which  begins  thus ; 

"  Now,  Tam,  O  Tam  I  had  thae  been  queans," 

Burns,  in  reply,  observed :  "  If  ever  you  write  again  to  so  irritable  a  creature 
as  a  poet,  I  beg  you  will  use  a  gentler  epithet  than  to  say  there  is  '  too  much 
of  the  hrutt'  in  anything  he  says  or  docs."     Here  the  correspondence  closed. 

From  Luchwinnoch  Wilson  roturuod  to  Paisley,  and  again  sought  subsistence 
by  mechanical  labor.  But  at  this  period  the  result  of  the  French  Kevolution 
had  become  evident  by  the  wars  enkindled  on  the  continent ;  and  their  influ- 
ence on  the  manufactures  of  Great  Britain,  particularly  those  of  Paisley,  began 
to  be  felt.  Kevolution  principles  had  also  ct-cpt  in  among  the  artisans,  which, 
superadded  to  the  decline  of  business,  were  the  means  of  many  being  thrown 
out  of  stated  employment;  and  the  distress  of  others  was  not  a  little  aggravated 
by  exactions  which,  it  was  supposed,  neither  policy  nor  justice  ought  to  have 
dict&ted.  Hence  arose  a  misunderstanding  between  the  manufacturers  and  the 
weavers,  which  soon  grew  into  a  controversy,  that  awakened  the  zeal  of  both 
parties;  and  WIIhod,  incited  by  principle  as  well  as  interest,  remained  not  idle 
on  an  occasion  which  seemed  to  demand  the  exercise  of  his  talents  iix  the 
benefit  of  the  pcKtr  and  the  oppressed. 

Amon<;;  the  mauufueturcrs  there  was  one  of  considerable  wealth  and  influ- 
ence, wh<i  had  risen  from  a  low  origin  by  a  coneurrcacc  of  fortunate  circum- 
stances, and  who  had  rendered  himself  greatly  conspicuous  by  his  avarice  and 
knavery.  This  obnoxious  individu.d  was  arraigned  in  a  galling  satire,  written 
in  the  Scottish  dialect,  which  is  well  known  to  bo  fertile  of  terms  of  sarcasm 
or  reproach.  The  piece  was  published  anonymously ;  and,  being  suited  to  the 
taste  of  the  multitude,  was  read  with  jagcrness.  But  the  subject  of  it,  stung 
to  the  (juick  by  the  severity  of  the  censure,  sought  revenge  of  his  concealed 
enemy,  who,  through  bome  unforeseen  occurrence,  was  revealed  in  the  person 
of  Wilson.  A  prosecution  for  a  libel  was  the  consequence  of  the  disclosure ; 
and  our  satirist  was  8enten(<e({  ti>  u  short  imprisonment,  and  to  burn,  with  his 
own  hund.M,  the  poem  at  the  public  crus.s  in  the  town  of  Paisley.  Wilson  un- 
derwent the  sentence  of  the  law  surrouiuled  by  his  friends,  a  gallant  and 
numerous  band,  who  viewed  him  us  a  martyr  to  the  cause  of  honor  and  truth  ; 
and  who,  while  his  character  wus  exalted  in  their  opinion,  failed  not  to  stig- 
matize that  of  his  adversary  in  all  the  bitterness  of  contempt.  The  printer,  it 
is  said,  was  fined  for  his  share  in  the  publication. 

In  the  your  I7l>2,  Wilson  wrote  his  characteristic  tale  of"  Watty  and  Meg," 
the  lust  poem  which  ho  compixscd  in  Scotland.  It  was  published  without  » 
name  ;  and,  possessing  considerable  merit,  was,  by  many,  attributed  to  Burns. 
This  a.>tcription  certainly  showed  u  want  of  discrimination,  as  this  production 
displays  none  of  those  felicities  of  diction,  none  of  that  peculiar  intcrmixtur'* 


XVI 


LIFE    OF    WILSON. 


\ 


Mi 


of  pathos  and  humor,  which  are  so  conspicuous  in  the  writings  of  Burns.  I| 
has  obtained  more  popularity  iu  Scotland  than  any  of  the  minor  essays  of  our 
author ;  anil  has  been  ranked  with  the  best  productions  »./  the  Scottish  muse. 

Cromek,  in  his  sketch  of  Wilson's  life,  adverting  to  the  prosecution  above 
mentioned,  says,  that  "  the  remembrance  of  this  misfortune  dwelt  upon  his 
mind,  and  rendered  him  dissatisfied  with  his  country.  Another  cause  of  Wil- 
son's  dejection  was  the  rising  fame  of  Burns,  and  the  indifference  of  the  public 
to  his  own  productions.  Ho  may  bo  said  to  have  envied  the  Ayrshire  hard 
and  to  this  envy  may  bo  attributed  his  best  production,  '  Watty  and  Meg,' 
which  he  wrote  at  Edinburgh  in  1793  (1792).  He  sent  it  to  Nielson,  printer, 
at  Paisley,  who  had  suffered  by  the  publication  of  his  formei-  poems.  Ad  it 
was,  by  the  advice  of  his  friends,  published  anonymously,  it  was  generally  as- 
cribed to  Burns,  and  went  rapidly  through  seven  or  eight  editions.  Wilson 
however,  shared  no  part  of  the  profits,  willing  to  compensate  for  the  former 
losses  his  publiI^her  had  sustained."  * 

The  sketoh  abt>vo  mentioned  the  author  of  this  narrative  showed  to  Wilson 
and  the  latter  told  him  that  the  relation  was  wanting  in  correctness,  lie 
pointedly  denied  the  charge  of  envying  the  Ayrshire  bard,  and  felt  not  a  little 
scandalized  at  the  unworthy  imputation.  He  added,  that  no  one  entertained  a 
more  exalt<.Hl  idea  of  Burns's  genius,  or  rejoiced  more  at  his  merited  success 
than  liiiiiMcIf 

Wilson  now  began  to  bo  dissatisfied  with  his  lot.  Ho  was  poor,  and  had  no 
pnwpcct  of  bettering  his  condition  in  his  native  country.  Having  heard  flat- 
tering accounts  of  America,  he  conceived  the  design  of  emigrating  thither,  and 
settling  in  the  United  States. 

It  was  some  time  in  the  latter  part  of  the  year  1793  that  the  resolution  was 
formed  of  for»aking  the  land  of  his  forefathers.  His  eye  having  boon  acci- 
dentally directed  U)  a  newspaper  advcrti.soment,  which  stated  (hat  the  American 
ship  Swift  would  sail  from  the  port  of  Beltiist,  in  Ireland,  on  the  first  of  May 
following,  with  pa.s.sengers  for  i'hiladelphia,  he  communicatod  his  scheme,  in 
confidence,  to  his  nephew,  William  Huncan,  then  a  lad  of  sixteen,  who  con- 
sented to  become  his  fellow-traveller  in  the  voyage  ;  and  an  agreement  was  en- 
tered iiit'i  r.f  departing  in  the  above-mentioned  ship. 

The  iieit  subject  of  consideration  wa«  the  procuring  of  funds  ;  and  as  weav- 
ing present«'d  the  most  eligible  plan  for  this  purpose,  to  the  loom  Wilson  ap- 
plied hiiiiHi'lf,  for  four  months,  with  u  diligence  and  economy  alnutst  surpassing 
belief;  the  wiiolo  of  hi^t  cxjvenses  during  this  period  amountitig  to  less  than 
one  Khilling  per  week. 

All  matters  being  finally  arranjred,  he  set  out  on  foot  for  I'ort  I'atri  k 
whence  he  embarked  for  Ireland.  On  reaching  Belfast  it  was  fuind  that  tli(> 
ship  had  her  complement  of  passengers  ;  but,  rather  than  remain  aft<:r  mi 
niucli  I'Xt'rtiiin.  Wil.son  and  his  companion  consented  to  sleep  u'>on  deck,  and, 
ionHO(|  lien  fly.  they  wi-re  j>erujitted  to  depart  in  the  ship,  which  sailed  about 
the  middle  of  .May,  and  arrived  at  Newcastle,  in  the  stato  of  Delaware,  on  the 
fourteenth  of  .July,  1794.  ' 


•  Cromek'i  "  Helect  Scouuh  SonKt,"  vol.  2,  p.  tt«. 


I,  l«10. 


LIFE    OF    WILSON. 


XVU 


We  now  behold  Alexander  Wilson  in  a  strange  land,  without  an  acquaint- 
ance on  whose  counsels  and  hospitality  ho  could  rely  in  that  state  of  uncer- 
tainty to  which,  having  no  particular  object  in  view,  he  was  of  course  subjected  ; 
without  a  single  letter  of  introduction,  and  with  not  a  shilling  in  his  pocket* 
IJut  every  care  was  forgotten  in  his  transport  at  finding  himself  in  the  land  of 
freedom.  lie  had  oft<3n  cast  a  wishful  look  towards  the  western  hemisphere, 
and  his  warm  fancy  had  suggested  thp  idea  that  among  that  people,  only,  who 
maintained  the  doctrine  of  an  equality  of  rights,  could  political  justice  be 
Ibund.  He  had  become  indignant  at  beholding  the  influence  of  the  wealthy 
converted  into  the  means  of  oppression  j  and  had  imputed  the  wrongs  and  suf- 
ferrings  of  the  poor,  not  to  the  condition  of  society,  but  to  the  luiture  and 
constitution  of  the  government.  He  was  now  free;  and  exulted  in  his  release, 
as  a  bird  rejoices  which  escapes  from  the  confinement  of  the  cage.  Impatient 
to  set  his  foot  upon  the  soil  of  the  New  World,  he  landed  at  the  town  of  New- 
castle, and,  shouldering  his  fowling-piece,  he  directed  his  stops  towards  Phila- 
delphia, distant  about  thirty-three  miles.  The  writer  of  this  biography  has  a 
distinct  recollection  of  a  conversation  with  Wilson  on  this  part  of  his  history, 
wherein  ho  described  his  sensations  on  viewing  the  first  bird  that  presented 
itself  as  ho  entered  the  forests  of  Delaware ;  it  was  a  red-headed  woodpecker, 
which  he  shot,  and  considered  tho  most  beautiful  bird  he  had  ever  beheld. 

On  his  arrival  at  Philadelphia,  he  deliberated  upon  the  most  eligible  mode 
of  obtaining  a  livelihood,  to  which  the  stat<!  of  his  funds  urged  immediate  at- 
tention. He  made  himself  known  to  a  countryman  of  his,  Mr.  John  Aitken, 
a  copper-plate  printer,  who,  on  being  informed  of  his  destitute  situation,  gave 
him  employment  at  this  business,  at  which  he  continued  for  a  few  weeks,  but 
abandoned  it  for  his  trade  of  weaving;  having  made  an  engagement  with  Mr. 
.loshua  Sullivan,  who  resided  on  tho  I'ennypack  creek,  about  ton  miles  north 
of  Philadelphia. 

Tho  confinement  of  tho  loom  did  not  agree  cither  with  Wilson's  habits  or 
inclinations;  and  learning  that  there  was  considerable  encouragement  aflfordcd 
to  settlers  in  Virginia,  he  imigratod  thither,  and  tuok  up  his  residence  near 
Shepherd's  Town,  in  that  part  of  the  state  known  by  the  name  of  New  \'ir- 
ginia."}"     Here  ho  again   found  himself  necessitated  to  engage   in  the  same 

*  This  is  lilernlly  trnc.  The  money  which  bore  his  expenses  iVoni  Ncwcatitle  to  I'hiU- 
ili'lpl\ia  vr&f  borrowcti  of  a  fellow  patiscns;cr.  The  same  generous  friend,  whose  name  was 
(Mivcr,  miulc  him  8ul)8e((HPi)tl_v  a  lonn  of  cash  to  enable  him  to  trnvel  into  Vir^,'inin. 

\  Tlie  linbits  of  tho  people  with  whom  Wilson  was  rompolleil  to  usso.inte,  in  tliis  soetion 
III'  the  Htate,  it  slioulil  seem  ^nvc  him  no  f-ntisfnclion  ;  and  the  life  he  Inl  luMed  not  a  lit- 
tle to  the  chii);rin  wliieh  he  sutrered  on  finding  himself  an  alien  to  those  Koeinl  plensiires 
whieh,  hitherto,  had  temled  tu  sweeten  his  existence.  His  letters  nt  this  perio<l  would,  no 
ilniiht,  Htford  some  various  particulars,  illu'-trativi)  of  his  varied  life  ;  but  none  of  them 
hnve  fnllen  into  mv  linnds.  Tho  folluwini;  cxtrnct  from  some  of  his  niauuscript  verses, 
mil  lead  tu  the  conelusiun  that  ho  did  not  quit  Virginia  with  regret  : 

"  Farewell  to  Virginia,  to  Berkley  adieu, 
Where,  like  JhcoIi,  our  clavs  have  been  evil  and  few! 
80  few — they  seenie<t  reallv  but  one  lengthened  curse  ; 
And  so  bad — that  tho  Devil  only  could  have  sent  worse." 
Vol..  I.-H 


KT***^ 


I    ' 


I    '1 


?li 


XVlll 


LIFE   OF    WILSON. 


scdentar}'  occupation ;  and  soon  becoming  disgusted  with  the  place,  ho  returned 
to  the  mimsion  of  his  friend,  Mr.  Sullivan. 

I  find  from  one  of  his  journals  that,  in  the  autumn  of  the  year  1795,  he 
travelled  through  the  north  part  of  the  state  of  New  Jersey,  with  an  acquaint- 
ance in  the  capacity  of  a  pedler,  and  met  with  tolerable  success. 

His  diary  of  this  journey  is  interesting.  It  was  written  with  so  much  oare, 
that  one  is  tomptod  to  conjecture  that  ho  spent  more  time  in  lit<^rary  occupation 
than  in  vending  his  merchandise.  It  contains  observations  on  the  manners  of 
the  people,  and  remarks  on  the  principal  natural  pmductions  of  New  Jersey, 
with  sketches  uf  the  most  noted  indigenous  quadrupeds  and  birds.  In  these 
sketches  one  is  enabled  to  perceive  the  dawning  of  that  talent  for  dcscriptioa 
which  was  aft<!rwar<l><  revealed  with  so  much  lustre. 

On  his  return  from  this  trading  adventure,  he  opened  s,  school  on  the  Ox- 
ford road,  about  five  miles  to  the  north  of  Frankford,  Pennsylvania  j  '>ut  being 
dissati.«fit'(l  with  this  situation,  he  removed  to  Milestown,  and  taught  in  the 
8ch(wl-house  of  that  village.  In  this  latter  place  ho  continued  for  several 
years,  and,  being  deficient  in  the  various  branches  of  learning  necessary  to 
qualify  him  for  a.i  instructor  of  youth,  he  applied  himself  to  study  with  great 
diliirenee ;  and  acquired  all  his  knowledge  of  the  mathematics,  which  was  con- 
siderable, solely  by  his  own  exertions.  To  teaching  ho  superadded  the  vocation 
of  surveying,  and  was  occasionally  employed  by  the  neighboring  farmers  ia 
this  business. 

Whilst  residing  at  ^lilestown,  he  made  a  journey,  on  fcwt,  to  the  Genesee 
country,  in  the  state  of  New  York,  fir  the  purpose  of  visiting  his  nephew, 
>Ir.  William  Puncan,  who  resided  upon  a  small  farm,  which  was  their  joint 
property.  This  farm  they  hud  been  enabled  to  purchase  through  the  assist^inco 
of  Mr.  Sullivan,  the  gentleman  in  whuse  emplny  Wilson  had  been,  as  before 
stated.  The  object  of  this  purchase,  which  some  might  deem  an  act  of  im- 
prudence in  those  whose  slender  funds  did  not  suffice  without  the  aid  of  a  loan, 
was  to  procure  an  nsylum  for  Mr.  Ihincan's  mother  and  her  family  of  small 
children,  whom  poverty  and  misfortune  had,  a  short  time  befure,  driven  to  this 
country.  This  was  somewhat  a  fatiguing  journey  to  a  pedestrian,  who,  in  the 
spare  of  twenty-eight  ilays.  travelled  nearly  eight  hundred  miles. 

The  life  of  Wilson  miw  becomes  intere.>'tiiig,  as  wo  are  enabled,  by  a  selection 
from  his  letters,  to  present  him  to  the  reader  as  his  own  biographer. 

To  Mr.  William  Duncan.* 

MiLEiTowN,  July  1,  1800. 
••  Dear  Bill 

"  I  hud  the  pleasure  of  yours  by  the  hands  of  Mr.  P.  this  day,  and  about 
four  weeks  ago  I  had  another,  directed  tii  .^fr.  Dobson's  care,  both  of  which 
were  as  welcome  to  me  as  anything,  but  your  own  self,  could  bo.  1  am  just  as 
you  lefl  me,  only  my  school  has  been  thinner  this  season  than  formerly. 

*  Mr.  Dunmn  at  thi«  time  reiiiilo<l  upon  the  farm  mentioned  above,  which  was  titnated 
jn  the  'uwuship  of  U»i<l,  C«yugi»  county,  Xtw  York. 


11  m  i 

■ 
• 

r!    •  ' '     ? 

I 

i            i 

1 

1                  i 

1 

■ 

Llj 

' 

LIFE    OF    WILSON. 


XIX 


"  I  have  had  four  letters  from  homo,  all  of  which  I  have  answered.  Their 
news  are — Dull  trade — provisions  most  exorbitantly  high — 11. 's  sister  dead — 
the  Seedhills  mill  burnt  to  the  ground — and  some  other  things  of  less  eonse- 

quenco. 

*  *  0  m  *  « 

"  I  dcubt  much  if  stills  could  be  got  up  in  time  to  do  anything  at  the  dis- 
tilling business  this  winter.  Perhaps  it  might  be  a  safer  way  to  take  them  up, 
in  the  spring,  by  the  Susquehanna.  ISut  if  you  arc  determined,  and  think 
that  we  should  engage  in  the  business,  I  shall  be  able  to  send  them  up  either 
way.  P.  tells  me  that  his  two  stills  cost  about  forty  pounds.  I  want  to  hear 
more  decisively  from  you  before  I  determine.  Sooner  than  live  in  a  country 
exposed  to  the  ague,  I  would  remain  where  I  am. 

"  ().  comes  out  tt)  stny  with  mc  two  months,  to  learn  surveying,  algebra,  &c. 
I  have  been  employed  in  several  places  about  this  summer  to  survey,  and  have 
acquitted  myself  with  credit  and  to  my  own  satisfaction.  I  should  not  be 
afraid  to  engage  in  any  job  with  the  inatruments  I  havi\  *  * 

"  S.  continues  to  increase  in  b\ilk,  money  an<l  respectability;  a  continual 
current  of  eleven penni/  hits  pouring  in,  and  but  few  running  out.       *  * 

"  We  are  very  anxious  to  hear  how  you  got  up ;  and  well  pleased  that  you 
played  the  Horse  Jockey  so  luckily.  If  you  are  fixed  in  the  design  of  distil- 
ling, you  will  write  me,  by  the  first  opportunity,  before  winter  sets  in,  so  that 
I  may  arrange  matters  in  time. 

"  I  have  got  the  sehoolhouse  enlarged,  by  contributions  among  the  neigh- 
bors. In  summer  the  school  is.  in  reality,  not  much  ;  but  in  winter  I  shall  be 
able  to  teach  with  both  pleasure  and  profit. 

«  *  *  t  :ti  «  * 

"  When  I  told  R.  of  his  sister's  deith,  '  I  expected  so,'  said  Jamie,  '  any 
other  news  that's  curious?'  So  completely  does  long  absence  blunt  the 
strongest  feelings  of  affection  and  friendship.  May  it  never  be  so  with  you 
and  me,  if  we  should  never  meet  again.  On  my  part  it  is  impo.«sible,  except 
God,  in  his  wrath,  should  deprive  mc  of  my  present  soul,  and  animate  me  with 
some  other.*'  .         - 


Wilnon  next  changed  his  residence  for  one  in  the  village  of  Bloomfield,  New 
Jersey,  where  he  again  opened  a  school.  3Jut  being  advised  of  a  more  agree- 
able and  lucrative  situation,  he  solicited,  and  received,  an  engagement  from 
the  trustees  of  Union  School,  situated  in  the  township  of  Kingsess  or  King- 
sessinp,  a  short  distance  from  Gray's  Ferry,  on  the  river  Schuylkill,  and  about 
four  miles  from  Philadelphia. 

This  removal  constituted  an  inipnrtant  era  in  the  lilV  of  Wilson.  Ills 
sohdol-house  and  residence  being  but  a  short  distance  from  Hartram's  ISotanic 
(ianlen,  situated  on  the  western  bank  of  the  Schuylkill, — a  sciiuestcred  spot, 
piiMSfssiug  attractions  of  no  ordinary  kind. — an  acquaintance  was  soon  con- 
iraiteil  with  that  venerable  ii:itiiralist,  .^Ir.  William  Hartram,*  which  grew  into 


•The  author  or  "  TraTcIs  through  North  ami  South  Carolina,  Ooorfria,  East  and  West 
I'lnriila,"  &c.  'V\\\»  rxovllont  ^rnllcinnn  cluseil  his  lung  Ami  ukvIuI  life  on  the  'HA  July, 
I8i3,  in  the  eighty-fourth  year  of  hii  age. 


XX 


LIFE    OF    WILSON. 


ail  uiicoiiiinon  friendship,  aiul  continued  witliout  tho  least  abatement  until  sev- 
ered  by  death.  Here  it  was  that  Wilson  found  himself  transloted,  if  we  may 
so  speak,  into  a  new  oxistenci!.  Ho  had  long  been  a  lover  of  the  works  of 
Nature,  and  had  derived  more  happiness  from  the  contemplation  of  her  simple 
beauties  than  from  any  other  source  of  gratification.  IJut  ho  had  hitherto 
been  a  mere  novice ;  ho  was  now  about  to  reeeivo  instructions  from  one  whom 
the  experience  of  a  long  life,  spent  in  travel  and  rural  retirenicnt,  had  rendered 
.(ualified  to  teach.  Mr.  Hartram  soon  perceived  the  bent  of  his  friend's  mind, 
and  its  congeniality  to  his  own  ;  and  took  every  pains  to  encourage  him  in  a 
.xtudy  which,  while  it  c.x|)ands  the  faculties,  and  purifies  tho  heart,  insensibly 
leads  to  tho  contemplation  of  the  glorious  Author  of  Nature  himself.  From 
his  youth  Wilson  had  been  an  observer  of  tho  manners  of  birds;  and,  since  hia 
arrival  in  America,  he  had  found  thoni  objects  of  uncommon  interest;  but  he 
hud  not  yet  viewed  them  with  tho  eye  of  a  naturalist. 

Mr.  Hartram  possessed  some  works  on  natural  history,  particularly  those  of 
Cati'sliy  and  Kdward.-*.  Wilson  perused  them  attentively ;  and  found  himself 
enabled,  even  with  hia  slender  ."took  of  information,  to  defect  errors  and  ab- 
surdities into  which  these  authors  had  fallen  fW>ni  a  defective  mode  of  study, 
ing  Nature  :  a  mode  which,  while  it  led  them  to  the  repositories  of  dried  skins 
and  preparations  and  to  a  reliance  on  hearsay  evidence,  subjected  them  to  tho 
imputation  of  ignorance,  which  their  lives,  devoted  to  tho  cultivation  and  pro- 
motion of  science,  certainly  would  not  justify.  Wilson's  improvement  was 
now  rapid  ;  and  the  jmlicious  crilicisms  whi(h  ho  made  on  tho  abovo-nientioiu'd 
authors  gratified  his  friend  iind  instructor,  who  redoubled  liis  encouraging  as- 
sistance, in  orde^  to  further  him  in  a  pursuit  for  which  his  genius,  now  begin- 
ning to  doveh'p  itself,  was  evidently  fitted. 


I 


:|         if 


:    'ill 


pitti 


"To    Mn.    WiLUAM    Dl  NPAN. 

*         ■  •'Orav's  FtRRV,  October  30th,  1802. 

"  Deak  Billy. 

•  I  was  favored  with  your  dcspatchw)  a  few  hours  ago,  through  the  kind- 
ness of  Colonel  Sullivan,  who  called  on  me  for  that  purpose.  1  have  road  and 
re-read,  over  and  over  again,  their  contents  ;  an<i  shall  devote  the  remainder  of 
this  evening  to  reply  to  you,  and  the  rest  of  the  family,  now  joint  tenants  of 
the  woods.  Hy  the  arrival  of  John  F.  here,  in  August  last,  I  received  one 
letter  from  my  brother  I'avid,  one  from  Thomas  W.  and  one  for  Alexander 
from  I)avid  Wil,xon  ;  and  last  week  another  packet  arrived  from  Htlfii.st,  con- 
taining one  letter  from  your  fatlu-r  to  myself;  and  to  your  mother,  brnthcr 
and  brother-in-law,  and  yourself,  one  each,  all  of  which  I  have  herewith  sent, 
and  hope  they  may  amuse  a  leisure  hour.  F.  has  been  wofully  disappointed  in 
the  ex|iectatioiis  he  had  formed  of  his  uncle.  Instead  of  being  able  to  assist 
him,  he  found  him  in  the  di.'pth  of  poverty;  and  fast  sinking  under  a  severe 
fever;  probably  the  arrival  of  a  relation  contributed  to  his  recovery;  ho  is 
now  able  to  crawl  aliout.  K.  has  had  One  chilil  born  and  buried  since  his 
arrival.  He  weaves  with  Uobert.son,  but  neither  likes  the  situation  nor  em- 
ployment. He  is  a  stout,  active  and  ingenious  follow,  can  turn  his  hand  to 
almont  anything,  and  wishes  as  eagerly  to  get  up  to  the  lakes  as  ever  a  saint 


'■r 


LIFE    OF    WILSON. 


XXI 


lonf^od  to  got  to  heaven.     Ho  gives  a  nioHt  dismal  duHcription  of  the  situatioo 
of  the  poor  people  of  Scotland  in  1800. 

"  Your  letters,  so  long  expected,  have  at  length  relieved  me  from  much 
nnxiety.  I  am  very  gorry  that  your  accomuiodutionB  are  so  few,  for  my  si«ter'.s 
sake,  and  the  children's;  a  fireplace  and  comfortable  house  for  the  winter 
must,  if  possible,  bo  got  up  without  delay.  If  masons  are  not  to  be  hud,  I 
would  attempt  to  raise  a  temporary  one  myself,  I  mean  a  fireplace — but  siiroly 
they  may  be  had,  and  lime  and  stones  are  also  attainable  by  dint  of  indutitry. 
Tht'se  observations  are  made  not  from  any  doubts  of  your  doing  everythiiiji  in 
your  power  to  make  your  mother  as  comfortable  as  possible,  and  as  your  mciiiis 
will  enable  you,  but  from  a  solicitude  for  a  sister's  health,  who  has  sustained 
iriiiro  distress  than  usual.  I  know  the  rude  appearance  of  the  country,  and 
llie  want  of  many  usual  conveniences,  will  for  some  time  affect  her  spirits;  let 
it  he  your  pleasure  and  study  to  banish  these  melancholy  moments  from  her  a.s 
much  as  possible.  Whatever  inconveniences  they  may  for  a  while  experience, 
i(,  was  well  they  left  this  devoted  city.  The  fever,  that  yellow  genius  of  de- 
htruction,  has  sent  numy  poor  mortals  to  their  long  homes  since  you  departed  ; 
and  the  gontlenmn  who  officiates  as  steward  to  the  hospital  informed  me  yes- 
terday evening  that  it  rages  worse  this  week  than  at  atiy  former  period  this 
soa.son,  though  the  physicians  have  ceased  reporting.  Every  kind  of  business 
has  been  at  a  stand  these  three  months,  but  the  business  of  death. 

•'  You  intimate  your  design  of  coming  down  next  spring.  Alexander  seems 
to  have  the  same  intention.  How  this  will  be  done,  consistent  with  providing 
fur  the  family,  is  not  so  clear  to  me.  Let  me  give  my  counsel  on  the  subject. 
VdU  will  see  by  your  father's  letters  that  he  cannot  be  expected  bofore  n>jxt 
, I  Illy  or  August  perhapi*,  a  time  when  you  must  of  necessity  l)e  at  homo. 
Vour  coming  down,  considering  loss  of  time  and  expenses,  and  calculating 
what  you  might  do  on  the  iarm.  or  at  the  loom,  or  at  other  jobs,  would  not 
cii'iir  you  more  than  twenty  dollars  difference,  unle.HS  you  intended  to  rein;iin 
here  live  or  six  months,  in  which  time  n\uch  might  be  done  by  you  and  Alex- 
(ler  on  the  place.  I  am  sorry  he  has  bcei.  bo  soon  discouraged  with  farming. 
Were  my  strength  but  e(|Uiil  to  my  spirit,  I  would  abandon  my  school  forever 
for  such  an  employment.  Habit  will  rcci  ncile  him  to  all  difficulties.  It  is 
more  healthy,  more  independent  and  agveeable  than  to  be  cooped  up  in  u  sub- 
terraneous dungeon,  surrounded  by  gliMiiny  damps,  and  breathing  an  unwhide- 
sumo  air  from  morning  to  night,  shut  out  fri)m  Nature's  fairest  scenes  and  the 
pure  air  of  heaven.  When  ni.'cessity  tlcmands  such  a  seclusion,  it  is  noble  to 
obey  ;  but  when  wo  arc  left  to  choice,  who  would  bury  themselves  alive  '!  It 
is  only  in  winter  that  I  would  reeonimend  the  linim  to  both  of  you.  In  the 
month  of  .^larch  next  1  shall,  if  well,  be  able  to  command  two  hundred  dulbirs 
,'ash  (Hire  more.  Nothing  stands  between  me  and  this  but  health,  and  that  I 
hope  will  continue  at  least  till  then.  You  nuiy  then  direct  as  to  the  disi>osal 
of  this  money — I  shall  freely  anil  cheerfully  yield  the  whole  to  your  niana!;e- 
ment.  Another  (|narter  will  enai>le  me  to  .settle  .lohn  .M.'s  account,  about  the 
time  it  will  be  due  ;  and,  instead  nf  wandering  in  search  of  employment  five 
or  six  hundred  miles  for  a  few  dollars,  I  would  bog  of  you  Imth  to  unite  in 
putting  the  place  and  hou.sc  in  as  guinl  order  as  possible.     Hut  Alexander  eau 


'■If 


l!^ 


XXll 


LIFE    OF    WILSON. 


get  nothing  but  wheat  and  butter  for  this  huggtmj  and  tlu»h\ng !  Never 
mind,  my  dear  namesake,  i)Ut  up  uwhiio  with  tlio  rough  fare  and  rough  cloth- 
ing of  the  country.  Let  us  only  get  the  place  in  good  order,  and  you  tihull  be 
no  loser  by  it.  Next  summer  1  will  assuredly  eouie  up  along  with  your  faliier 
and  George,  if  he  comes  us  I  expect  he  will,  and  everything  shall  flourish. 

"  My  dear  friend  and  nephew,  I  wish  you  could  find  a  lei.sure  Imur  in  the 
evening  to  give  the  children,  particularly  Mary,  some  instruction  in  reading, 
and  Aleitander  in  writing  and  accounts.  Don't  bo  discouraged  though  they 
make  but  slow  pn>gress  in  both,  but  por.-^evere  a  little  every  evening.  1  think 
you  cau  hardly  employ  an  hour  at  night  to  better  purpose.  And  make  Jauics 
read  eve  y  convenient  opportunity.  If  I  live  to  come  up  beside  you,  1  shall 
take  that  burden  off  your  shoulders.  Jfe  the  constant  friend  and  counsellor 
of  vour  little  colony,  to  assist  tiieiu  in  their  difficulties,  encourage  theiu  in  their 
de.-pondencies,  to  make  them  as  happy  as  circumstances  will  enable  you.  A 
uiother,  brothers  and  sisters,  in  a.  foreign  country,  looking  up  to  you  as  their 
best  friend  and  supporter,  places  you  in  a  dignifieil  p>inl  of  view.  The  future 
remembrance  of  your  kind  <luty  to  them  now,  will,  in  the  hour  of  your  own 
distress,  be  aa  a  healing  angel  of  peace  to  your  mind.  Do  everything  possible 
to  make  your  house  comfortable — fortify  the  g.irrison  in  every  point — stop 
every  crevice  that  may  let  in  that  chilling  devil,  the  roaring  blustering  north- 
west— heap  up  fires  big  enough  for  an  Intliati  war-feast — keep  the  flour-barrel 
full — Ijake  loaves  like  Ilamles  Head* — make  the  loom  tliiimler,  and  the  pot 
boil;  and  your  snug  little  cabin  re-e(;lio  nothing  but  S'junds  of  domestic  feli- 
city. I  will  write  you  the  moment  I  hear  of  (Joorge.  I  shall  do  everything 
I  have  said  to  you,  and  never  lost;  sight  of  the  eighteenth  of  March  ;  for 
which  purpose  1  shall  keep  night-school  this  winter,  and  retain  every  farthing 
but  what  necessity  reijuires — depend  upon  nie.  These  are  the  outlines  of  mi/ 
plan.  If  health  stand  it,  all  will  bo  well;  if  not,  we  cauuot  help  it.  llunii- 
nate  on  all  this,  and  consult  together.  If  you  still  think  of  coming  down  I 
hope  you  would  not  hesitate  for  a  moment  to  make  my  neighborhood  your 
home.  If  you  couio  I  shall  bo  happy  to  have  you  onco  more  beside  mo.  If 
you  resolve  to  stay  on  the  farm,  and  put  things  in  order  a."  far  xn  po.-.sible,  I 
will  think  you  have  done  what  you  thought  best.  But  I  forget  that  my  pajier 
is  done. 

••  Uobb,  Orr.  &c  ,  have  escaped  as  yet  from  the  pestilence;  but  Uobb's  three 
children  have  all  had  the  ague.  Hubby  U<<wan  has  gone  to  Ihivit'n  Lt>i-/,iT  at 
last :  he  died  in  the  West  Indi.js.  My  brother  I*avid  talks  of  eouiing  to 
America,  and  my  father,  poor  old  man,  would  be  happy  to  be  with  you,  rough 
and  uncomfortable  as  your  situation  at  present  is.  As  ^  sm  as  1  linish  this  I 
shall  write  to  your  mother  and  Alexander.  There  is  a  letter  for  John  M., 
which  he  is  retjuested  to  answer  by  bis  father-in  law.  I  hope  John  will  set  a 
firm  resolute  heart  to  the  undertaking,  and  plant  a  poslerify  in  tliat  rich  west- 
ern country,  to  perpetuat<!  his  name  for  ever.  Thousands  here  would  rejoice 
to  be  in  his  situation.      How  happy  may  you   live    thus   united   together  iu  a 

•Tilt"  iiniiii!  of  n  rock  near  I'nijlfv, 


LIFE   OF   WILSON. 


XXllI 


froo  aud  pleutiful  country,  after  so  many  years  of  painful  separation,  where  the 
bare  nocc.sHuriea  of  life  were  uU  that  incessant  drudgery  could  procure,  and 
even  that  but  barely!  Should  even  sickness  visit  you,  which  Uod  forbid,  each 
of  you  is  surrounded  by  almost  all  the  friends  you  have  in  the  world,  to  uursr 
you,  and  pity  and  console  you;  and  surely  it  is  not  the  least  sad  ccmfort  of  a 
death-bed,  to  bo  attended  by  afFectioniito  relatives.  Write  me  positively  by 
post,  two  or  three  times,  3Iy  best  love  to  my  sister,  tf)  Isnbelln,  Alexander, 
John,  the  two  Marios,  James,  Jeany,  little  Annio.     God  Almighty  bless  you 

all. 

"  Your  ever  affectionate  friend, 

"  Alex.  Wilson." 


To  Alexander  Duncan. 

"  Octciber  Slst,  1802. 
"Dear  ALF.XANnER. 

"  I  havn  laughed  on  every  perusal  of  your  letter.  I  have  now  deciphered 
the  whole,  except  the  blot.i,  but  I  fancy  they  are  only  by  the  way  of  half 
monniiui/  for  your  dololul  captivity  in  the  backwoods,  where  there  is  nothing 
but  wheat  and  butter,  eggs  and  gammon,  for  huyijimj  down  trees.  Deplorable  ! 
what  must  be  duue?  It  is  u  good  place,  you  say,  for  a  man  who  has  a  parcel 
of  xcean»  /***** 

"  Kut  forgive  this  joking.  1  thank  ym,  mast  heartily,  for  this  your  finl 
leller  to  me  ;  and  I  hope  you  will  follow  it  up  with  n\any  more.  I  shall  always 
reply  to  them  with  real  pleasure.  I  am  glad  that  your  chief  objection  to  the 
country  is  want  of  money.  No  place  is  without  its  inconveniences.  Want  of 
the  necessaries  of  life  would  be  a  much  greater  grievance.  If  you  can,  in 
your  present  situation,  procure  sufficient  of  those,  though  attended  with  par- 
ticular di^advantagos.  I  would  roeonimond  you  to  persevere  where  you  are.  I 
would  wish  you  and  William  to  give  your  jdint  labors  to  putting  the  place  in 
as  good  order  as  pos.-^ible.  A  farm  of  such  land,  in  good  cultivation,  is  highly 
valuable ;  it  will  repay  all  the  labor  bestowed  upon  it  a  hundred-fold ;  and 
contains  within  it  all  the  powers  of  plenty  and  independence.  These  it  only 
reijuirca  industry  to  bring  forth,  and  a  sma!l  stock  of  money  to  begin  with. 
The  money  I  doubt  not  of  being  able  to  procure,  next  summer,  for  a  year  or 
two,  on  interest,  independent  of  two  hundred  dollars  of  my  own,  which  I  hope 
to  possess  on  or  before  the  middle  of  March  next.  C.  S.  is  very  much  at- 
tached to  both  your  brother  and  mo ;  and  has  the  means  in  his  power  to  assist 
us — and  I  know  he  will.  In  the  meantime,  if  you  and  William  unite  in  the 
undertaking,  I  promi.se  you  as  far  as  I  am  concerned,  to  make  it  the  best  plan 
yi)u  could  puriue. 

"Accustom  yourself,  !iH  much  as  you  can,  to  working  out.  Don't  despise 
h<iijifin;f  down  trees.  It  m  hard  work,  no  doubt;  but  taken  moderately,  it 
Htrenglhens  the  whole  sinews;  and  is  a  manly  and  independent  employment. 
An  old  weaver  is  a  poor,  emaciated,  helpkss  being,  shivering  over  rotten  yarn, 
anil  groaning  over  his  empty  flour  biirrel,  .\n  old  farmer  sits  in  his  armchair 
before  liis  jolly  Ore,  while  his  ji)ists  are  crowded  with  hung  beef  and  gammons, 
and  the  bouiMics  of  heaven  are  pouring  into  his  barns.     Even  the  article  of 


ixiv 


LIFE    OF    WILSON. 


health  is  a  oonsideration  sufficient  to  make  a  young  man  prefer  the  labors  of 
the  field  ;  for  health  is  certainly  the  firHt  enjoyment  of  human  ;ifo  Hut  per- 
haps weaving  holds  out  advantaj^es  that  furmiiiK  docs  not.  Then  blend  the 
two  together;  wcavo  in  the  depth  of  winter,  and  work  out  the  rest  of  the 
year.  Wo  will  have  it  in  our  power,  before  next  winter,  to  have  a  shop,  looms, 
Ac.,  provided.  Consider  ail  I  have  said,  and  if  I  have  a  wrong  view  of  the 
subject,  form  your  own  plans,  and  write  me  without  delay." 


i^ 


If        ! 


To  Ma.  William  Duncan. 

"Gray's  Ferrv,  December  2nd,  1802. 

"The  two  Mr.  Purdios  popped  into  my  school,  this  afternoon,  aa  unexpected 
as  they  were  welcome,  witli  news  from  the  promised  land.  I  shall  detain  them 
with  me  all  nij,'ht,  on  purpose  to  have  an  opportunity  of  writing  you  u  few  lines. 
I  am  glad  you  are  all  well.  I  hope  that  this  is  the  1  st  devilish  shmgh  of  de- 
spond which  you  will  have  to  struggle  in  for  some  time.  I  will  do  ail  that  I 
vaid  to  you,  in  my  last,  l)y  the  middle  of  March ;  so  let  care  and  sorrow  be 
forgotten ;  and  industry,  hope,  g(H)d  humor  and  economy,  bo  your  bosom 
friends.  *  ♦  *  *  * 

"  I  succeed  tolerably  well ;  and  seem  to  gain  in  the  esteem  of  the  people 
about.  I  am  glad  of  it,  because  I  hope  it  will  put  it  in  my  power  t4  clear  the 
load  a  little  before  you,  and  bani.sh  despondence  from  the  b  ^t  of  my  dearest 
friend.  Ho  a8sure<l  that  I  will  ever  a«  cheerfully  contribi,  >  your  relief  in 
difficulties  a-s  I  will  rejoice  with  you  in  prosperity.  But  wu  have  nothing  to 
fear.  One  hundred  bushels  of  wheat,  tu  bo  sure,  is  no  great  marketing;  but 
has  it  not  been  e.xpendctd  in  the  support  of  a  mother,  and  infant  brothers  and 
sisters,  thrown  upon  your  bounty  in  a  foreign  c<mutry  ?  Uobert  Burns,  when 
the  mice  nibbled  away  his  corn,  said  : 

"' I'll  get  n  l)lcs!'in  wi' the  lave, 

And  never  mias  't.' 

"  Where  he  expected  one,  you  may  a  thousand.  Robin,  by  his  own  confession, 
ploughed  uj)  his  mice  out  of  hn'  and  Imme.  You  have  built  for  your  little 
wanderers  a  cozie  Held,  where  none  dare  molest  them,  '''here  is  more  true 
greatness  in  the  affectionate  exertions  which  you  have  made  for  their  subsist- 
ence and  support,  than  the  bloody  catalogue  of  heroes  can  boitst  of.  V'lur  own 
heart  will  t^peak  peace  and  satisfaction  to  you,  to  the  li>«t  moment  of  your  lif<*, 
for  every  anxiety  you  have  felt  on  their  account.  Colimel  Sullivan  talks  with 
pride  and  affection  of  you. 

"  I  wi.-<h  Alexander  had  written  mo  a  few  lines  of  the  old  German  text.  I 
,augh  every  time  I  look  at  his  last  letter:  it's  a  {x^rfect  aiitidot<'  against  the 
splein.  Wei!.  Alexander,  which  is  the  best  fun,  handling  the  shuttle,  or  the 
,ixe "!  When  John  M.  conies  down,  write  me  largely.  And,  dear  sister,  lot  mo 
hear  from  you  also.  •  *  «  * 

"  I  woulil  beg  leave  to  suggest  to  you  the  propriety  of  teaching  the  chlli'ren 
to  behave  with  good  manners,  and  dutiful  respect,  to  yourself,  each  other,  and 
everybody. 


LIFE    OF    'YILSON, 


XXf 


"  You  must  oxcuRO  mo  fur  anything  I  may  havo  said  amiss,  or  anything  I 
may  hure  omitt«d  to  mention.  I  am,  with  sincere  attachmoDt,  your  affection- 
ate friend." 


The  foregoing  letters  place  the  character  of  Wilson  in  the  most  amiable 
point  of  view;  and  they  entirely  Buporsedo  any  remarks  which  I  might  make 
upon  those  social  affections  that  diHtinguishcd  him  thruugh  life. 

In  his  now  situaliou  Wilson  hud  nmiiy  cnjuyincnts;  but  he  hnd  likewise  mo- 
ments of  despondency,  which  solitude  tended  to  confirm.  He  had  addict«d 
himself  to  the  writing  of  verses,  and  to  music;  and,  being  of  a  mu.sing  turn 
of  mind,  had  given  way  to  those  seductive  feelings,  which  the  chiirmiiig 
scenery  of  the  country,  in  a  sensible  heart,  never  fails  to  awaken.  This  was  a 
fatal  bias,  which  all  his  efforts  could  not  counteract  or  remove.  His  ae<juaint- 
ance  perceived  the  danger  of  his  state ;  and  one  in  whose  friendship  he  had 
placed  strong  reliance,  and  to  whom  ho  had  freely  unburtheued  himself,  Mr. 
Law.son,  the  engraver,  entertained  apprehensions  for  the  soundness  of  his  in- 
tollect.*  There  was  one  subject  which  contributed  not  a  little  to  increase  his 
mental  gloom,  and  this  wiw  the  consideration  of  the  life  of  penury  and  de- 
pendence to  which  he  seemed  destined  as  the  teacher  of  a  country  school. 
Mr  Lawson  immediately  recommended  the  renouncing  of  poetry  and  the  flute, 
anil  the  substituting  uf  the  amusement  of  <lrawing  in  their  stead,  as  being 
most  likely  to  restore  the  balance  of  his  mind ;  and  as  an  employment  well 
adapted  to  one  of  his  recluse  liabit.s  and  inclinalioiM.  To  thi.s  end  .Hketches 
of  the  human  figure,  and  landscapes,  were  provided  for  him ;  but  his  attempts 
were  80  unpromising  that  he  threw  them  a.sido  with  disgust;  and  concluded 
that  one  at  his  period  of  life  could  never  .xucceed  in  the  art  of  delim  tion. 
Mr.  Hartram  now  advised  a  trial  at  birds;  and  being  tolerably  skilful  himself, 
exhibited  his  portfolio,  which  was  graced  with  unmy  specimens  frou»  his  own 
bands.  The  attempt  was  made,  and  sueceeiled  beyond  the  expectation  of 
Wil.Hon,  or  that  of  his  friends.  There  was  a  magic  in  the  employment  which 
aroused  all  the  energies  of  his  soul ;  he  saw,  as  it  were,  the  dayspring  of  a 
new  creation ;  and,  from  being  the  humble  follower  of  his  instructors,  he 
was  soon  qualified  to  lead  the  way  in  the  charming  art  of  imitating  the  works 
of  the  (ireat  (Iriginal. 

That  Wilson  likewise  undertook  the  Uusk  of  delineating  flowers,  appears 
from  the  following  note  to  Mr.  Hartram,  dated  November  20th,  1803: 


•The  following  inciilont  was  (■oniniiinicatoil  to  mo  l>y  Colonel  Carr,  who  had  it  from 
Wilson  himself.  Wliitu  the  latter  liiln>roil  umtor  great  ilepressiun  uf  spirit*,  in  order  to 
Mtotlio  his  moid  he  one  day  raiiiWod  w  iili  his  gun.  The  pieec  b_v  ueeident  slip|M>il  from  his 
liniiil,  and,  mi  making;  uii  effort  to  rcpiiii  it,  the  loek  was  coeked.  At  that  iimnieMt  hiiil 
ihe  Klin  puie  olf,  it  is  murv  thnii  prolinldc  that  he  wimld  have  to'tt  his  life,  as  the  niii/./.le 
WHS  opposite  to  his  hrcftst.  When  Wilson  retlerted  on  tlie  danger  whieh  lie  hail  esenped, 
he  shuddered  at  the  idea  iii'  the  imputation  nf  suieide,  whieh  a  fatal  uoeurronre,  to  one  in 
his  frame  of  mind,  would  have  ooer,  .ioned.  There  is  room  to  coiijeeturo  that  many  have 
\eeideiuully  met  their  end,  whose  memories  have  bccu  sullied  l>y  the  alleged  crime  ol' 
«elf-raurdcr. 


zxvi 


LIFE   OF    WILSON. 


J      I 


"  I  have  attoiuptod  two  of  thuso  priuU  which  Mias  Nuiioy*  ao  obligiugly, 
aad  with  so  much  Iidiht  to  her  own  taHto,  «eloctod  for  uio.  I  waa  (juito  do- 
lightod  with  tho  aiioiiioiio,  but  Toar  I  have  luadu  but  bungling  work  of  it. 
8uuh  aa  thuy  aro  I  Hoiid  them  for  your  iiiMpoctiuii  and  opinion;  neither  of  them 
ia  quite  finishcJ.  For  your  kii>J  advice  towards  my  improvomout  I  return  my 
most  grateful  acknowlodgnioiita. 

"The  dut'us  of  my  profeaaiou  will  not  admit  mo  to  apply  to  this  Btudy  with 
the  aaoiduity  aud  peracvorance  I  could  wiah.  Chief  part  of  what  I  do  in 
sketched  by  candle  light;  and  for  this  I  am  obliged  to  Haerifice  tho  pleaNurva 
of  Hociul  life,  and  tho  agreeable  momenta  which  I  might  enjoy  in  company 
with  you  and  your  amiable  friend.  I  ahall  finiah  the  other  some  time  thia 
week;  and  ahall  be  happy  if  what  I  have  done  merit  your  approbation." 

Aa  Wilaon  advanced  in  drawing,  he  made  corresponding  progreaa  in  the 
knowledge  of  Ornithology.  Ilo  hud  peruacd  tho  works  of  some  of  tho  iiatu- 
ralista  of  Europe,  who  had  written  on  tho  subject  of  tho  birds  of  America, 
and  became  ao  di.-«gust«d  with  their  caricatured  figures,  fanciful  theorica, 
fables  and  misri'presontalion.^,  that  on  turning,  aa  he  hiinaelf  ubsorvea,  from 
these  barren  and  mu.Mty  records  to  the  magnificent  repository  of  (he  woods  and 
gelilg — the  Grand  Aviary  uf  Nature,  his  delight  bordered  on  adoration.  It 
was  not  in  the  inventions  of  niui  that  the  Divine  Wisdom  couM  bo  traced; 
but  it  was  vi.sible  in  tin-  volume  of  Creation,  wherein  are  inscribed  the  Author'a 
leaaona  of  goodness  and  love,  in  the  conformation,  the  habitu<los,  melody  and 
migrations,  uf  tho  fca'liered  tribea,  that  beautiful  portion  of  tho  work  of  hia 
hands. 

To  invite  the  attention  of  hia  fellowcitizcns  to  a  study,  attended  with  ao 
much  pleasure  and  improvement,  was  the  natural  wish  of  one  who  had  been 
educated  in  the  School  of  Wisdom.  He  humbly  thought  it  would  not  be  render- 
ing an  unacceptable  service  to  the  GiiK.\T  Ma.stkr  of  Crkatio.n  himself,  to 
derive  from  objecta  that  everywhere  present  theniaelvea  in  our  rural  walka,  not 
only  amusement  and  instruction,  but  the  highest  incitcmenta  to  piety  and  virtue. 
Moreover,  self  gratification,  that  source  of  so  mans  of  our  virtuous  actions,  had 
its  share  in  urging  him  to  communicate  hia  observations  to  others.'}'  lie 
examined  the  strength  of  his  miml,  and  its  resources;  the  undertaking  seemed 
hazardous;  he  pondered  it  for  a  long  while  before  he  ventur»-d  to  mention  it  to 
his  friends.  At  length  the  subject  was  matle  known  ttj  Mr.  Kartrum,  who  freely 
expressed  his  confidence  in  the  abilities  and  ac<|uirement8  of  Wilson  ;  but,  from 
a  knowledge  of  the  situation  and  circumstances  of  the  latt^-r,  hinted  his  fcara 
that  tho  ditRculties  which  sUxid  in  the  way  of  such  m\  enterprise  were  almost 
too  great  to  bo  overcome.  Wilson  was  not  easily  intimidated ;  the  very  mention 
of  (liffieulties  suggested  to  his  mind  the  means  of  surmounting  them,  and  the 
glory  which  would  accrue  from  aueh  an  achievement.  He  had  a  ready  answer 
to  every  objection  of  hia  cautious  friend;  and  evinced  aueh  enthusiasm,  that 
i^lr.  Bartruui  trembled  lest  hia  intemperate  zeal  should  lead  him  into  a  situation, 
from  tho  emborrassmouta  of  which  he  could  uut  well  be  uxtricated. 


*  Mr.  nartram't  nircc,  now  the  conaort  of  Colonel  Carr. 
f  Iiitrutiuctiuu  to  Vul.  I. 


*'       [il 
f 


LIFE    OF    WILSON. 


XXVII 


The  soliuuio  WU8  unfulilcd  tu  Mr.  Lawaon,  and  luut  with  his  cordial  upprobu- 
tioii.  )iiit  ho  obsorvud  thut  thuro  were  ttuvurul  ouiiHiduruliuus  whiuii  nhould  huvo 
thoir  woight,  in  dutonnitiiiig  in  iiii  ufl'uir  uf  ho  uiuch  iiiiportuucc.  ThuHo  wuru 
frankly  Ntutud;  and  fulluwud  by  udvico,  which  did  not  quadrutu  with  the  tcnipcrU' 
nicnt  of  WiUon;  who,  vexed  thut  hia  friend  would  not  enter  into  hia  feelings, 
expressed  hia  Hcorn  of  the  inuxiniit  of  prutience  with  whicii  ho  wus  utwuilod,  by 
styling  thcui  the  offMpring of  a  lu/i/,  caUututiii;/.  tiljitk  pliiluauphy.  Under  date 
of  iMareh  llith,  1804,  he  thuH  writes  to  the  hiat-naiued  geiitleniau  :  ''I  dare 
uay  you  begin  to  think  mo  very  ungenerous  ind  unfriendly  in  uut  aeuing  you 
for  so  long  a  time.  1  will  ainiply  Htute  the  cause,  and  I  know  you  will  cxcumo 
luo.  8ix  diiya  in  one  week  I  huvt^  no  more  time  than  Just  to  awallow  niy  uieala, 
and  return  to  my  $ani:lum  »aiti:loruin.  Five  days  of  thu  following  week  are 
occuj)ied  in  the  Hunie  routine  vf  ^>t'(/i/</o*/ui'H(/ matterMj  and  the  other  two  are 
Bucriticed  to  that  iU'h  for  druiving,  which  I  caught  from  your  honorable  self 
I  never  was  uioro  witthful  to  spend  an  afternoon  with  you.  In  three  weeks  I 
shall  huvu'  u  few  duy.s'  vacancy,  and  mean  to  be  in  town  chief  pari  of  the  tii!<e. 
I  am  moHt  earnestly  bent  on  pursuing  my  plan  of  making  a  collection  of  all  the 
birds  in  this  part  of  North  America.  Now  I  don't  want  you  to  throw  cold 
water,  as  Shakapcaro  say.s,  on  this  notion,  Quixotic  us  it  may  appear.  I  have 
been  so  long  accuittomed  to  the  building  of  airy  ca.itlcs  and  brain  windmills, 
that  it  hius  become  one  of  my  earthly  comfortx,  a  sort  of  a  rough  bone,  thut 
Buiuses  me  when  sated  with  the  dull  drudgery  of  life." 


To  Mb.  >Vm.  U-vinuAM. 
'  "  March  2yth,  1804. 

"  Throe  months  have  pas.sed  away  since  I  had  the  pleasure  of  seeing  you ; 
and  three  dark  and  heavy  months  they  have  been  to  your  family.  My  heart 
has  shared  in  your  distress,  and  sincerely  sympathizes  with  you  for  the  loss  you 
have  sustained,  liut  Time,  the  great  curer  of  every  grief,  will  gradually  heal 
those  wounds  which  Misfortune  has  inflicted;  aiid  many  years  of  traiujuillity 
and  happiness  are,  1  sincerely  hope,  reserved  for  you. 

'•  I  have  been  prevented  from  seeing  you  so  long  by  the  hurry  of  a  crowded 
school,  which  occu|iied  all  my  hours  of  daylight,  and  frctjucntly  half  the  others. 
The  next  (juurter  will  leave  me  time  enough ;  and,  as  there  is  no  man  living  in 
who.se  company  I  have  more  real  satisfaction,  I  hope  you  will  pardon  me  if  I 
now  and  then  steal  a  little  of  your  leisure. 

'•  I  send  for  your  amusement  a  few  attempts  at  some  of  our  indigenous  birds, 
hoping  thut  your  good  nature  will  excuse  their  deticiencies,  while  you  point 
thcui  out  to  uie.  I  intended  to  be  the  bearer  of  them  myself,  but  having  so 
many  little  accounts  to  draw  u|)  before  to-morrow,  I  am  compelled  to  jiicad  this 
as  my  excuse.  I  am  almost  ashameil  to  send  you  those  drawings;  bi^t  I  know 
your  generous  disposition  will  induce  you  U<  encourage  one  in  whom  you  perceive 
a  sincere  and  eager  wish  to  do  well.     They  were  chiefly  colored  by  candle-light. 

••  I  have  now  got  my  collection  of  native  birds  considerably  enlurged ;  and 
shall  endeavor,  if  {Hwsible,  to  obtain  all  the  smaller  ones  this  summer,  lie 
pleased  to  mark  on  the  drawings,  with  a  pencil,  the  nawcs  of  each  bird,  us 


r 


xxyiii  •  LIFE    OF    WILSON. 

except  three  or  four,  I  do  not  know  them.     I  shall  be  extremely  obliged  to  yon 
for  every  hint  that  will  assist  me  in  this  agreeable  anmscuient. 

"  I  am  very  anxious  to  see  tho  porfornianL-es  of  your  fair  jjupil ;  and  beg  you 
would  assure  ner  from  nie  that  any  ol"  the  birds  1  have  are  heartily  at  her  ser- 
vice. Surely  nature  is  prefi'rable,  to  copy  after,  to  the  works  of  the  best  mas- 
ters,  tliou"'h  i)erliai)s  nmro  ditficult;  for  I  declare  that  the  face  of  an  ow\,  ami 
the  back  of  a  lark  have  put  me  to  ..  .lonplus;  and  if  .Miss  Nancy  will  be  so 
obliging  as  to  try  her  hand  on  the  last  mentioned,  I  will  furnish  her  with  one 
in  good  order;  and  will  copy  her  drawing  with  the  greatest  plca.surc  ;  having 
spent  almost  a  week  on  two  ditfcrcnt  ones,  and  afterwards  destroyed  them  both, 
and  got  nearly  in  the  sloujih  of  despond." 

To  Mil.  Wm.  Hautuam. 

"  KiNciHKssiNo,  March  31gt,  1804. 
"  I  take  the  first  few  momenta  I  have  had  since  receiving  your  letter,  to 
thank  you  for  your  obliging  attention  to  my  litilf  attempt.-'  at  drawing,  and  for 
the  very  affectionate  expressions  vi'  esteem  with  which  you  honor  nic  Hut  sorry 
I  am,  indeed,  that  afllictions  so  severe,  as  thiwe  you  mention,  should  fall 
where  so  much  worth  and  sensibility  reside,  while  the  profligate,  the  unthink- 
ing and  unfeeling,  so  freouently  piuss  through  life  strangers  to  sickness,  ad- 
versity or  suffering.  Hut  ti.id  visits  th(*e  with  distress  whime  enjoymenfjs 
he  wishes  to  render  more  cxijuisiie,  The  storms  of  aiHiction  do  i.  >t.  last  for  ever; 
and  sweet  is  the  serene  air.  and  warm  sunshine,  after  a  day  of  darkness  und 
tempest.  (Jur  friend  has,  indeed.  p.is.sed  away,  in  the  bloom  of  youth  and 
expect;»tioD ;  but  nothing  has  liap|)ened  but  what  almost  every  day's  experi- 
erve  teaclies  us  to  exjieet.  H"W  many  millions  of  beautiful  flowers  have 
floiiiished  and  faded  umler  ■■  mr  <'yc  ;  and  how  olien  bus  the  wlinle  priil'usiou 
of  'i|i's.soms  the  hopes  of  a  whole  year,  been  blasted  by  an  untinndy  frost  I 
He  has  gone  i>nly  a  little  before  us;  we  must  stMni  follow;  but  while  the  feel- 
ings of  nature  cannot  be  repressed,  it  is  our  iluty  to  Imw  with  humble  rcsig. 
nation  to  the  decisionii  of  the  great  Father  of  all,  rather  receiving  with  grati- 
tude the  blessings  he  i<  [pleased  to  bestow.  t)un  repining  at  the  liisj«  of  those 
he  thinks  proper  to  take  from  u.^.  Hut  allow  me.  my  dear  friend,  t«>  withdr.iw 
your  thoiii/hl44  from  so  nielaneliojy  a  subject,  siuce  the  best  way  to  avoid  the 
force  of  any  overpowoiuig  paHsion.  is  to  turn  itit  direetion  another  way, 

••  That  lovely  sea.sun  is  ,>•  *'  ii]i|iroaeliiiii.',  when  the  garden.  woimIm  and 
fields,  will  again  disjda}  'li'o  ioliage  iind  tiower-  Kvery  day  we  may  <'xiiect 
strangers,  flocking  from  tlie  >•  .ilb  to  fill  our  wtsids  with  harmony  The  (.encil 
of  .V.ilijri'   i:j  now  at   work,  and   "Ufliii«-s     tintj*.  and   grubitioiiH  of  liglUf.  ainl 

shades,  that  baflle  all   deseripti will  soon  be  spread    before  us  by  that   j;reat 

muster,  our  most  iM'nevolent  friend  ai.il  Father.  Let  us  cheerfully  participate 
in  the  feast  he  is  prepn-ing  fur  nil  our  Henses.  I..et  us  survey  tlnwe  millions 
of  ijreen  strangers,  jiist  j«'eping  into  day.  as  so  many  happy  niesseiiir»'rs  coiiiC 
to  |>roclaim  the  jiower  and  niuniti>"en<'e  of  the  t 'reat<ir.  I  confess  that  I  was 
always  an  enthnsijist  in  my  admiration  of  ;he  rural  scenery  of  Nature  ;  but, 
(linee  v"ur  example  and  eiieourML''.'nieiil  have  «et  nie  to  uttemii'.  to  imitate  In  r 
productions,  I  see  new  beauties  iu  e\ery  bird,  plant  or  flower,  I  contemplate; 


LIFE    OF    WILSON. 


XXIX 


and  find  my  ideas  of  the  incomprehensible  First  Cause  still  more  exalted  the 
umre  minutely  I  examine  bis  works. 

"  I  sometimes  smile  to  think  that  while  others  are  immersed  in  deep  schemes 
of  upeculution  and  aggrandizement — in  building  towns  and  purchasing  planta- 
tions, 1  am  entranced  in  contemplation  over  the  plumage  of  a  lark,  or  gazing 
like  a  despairing  lover,  on  the  lineaments  of  an  owl.     While  others  are  hoard- 
ing up  tlieir  bags  of  money,  without  the  power  .f  enjoying  it,  I  am  collecting, 
w'ithout  injuring  my  conscience,  or  wounding  my  peace  of  inind,  tho.se  beauti- 
ful specimens  of  Nature's  works  that  are  for  ever  pleasing.     I  have  hud  live 
crows,  hawks   and  owls — opossums,  squirrels,  snakes,  lizar<ls,  &c  ,  so  that  my 
room  has  sometimes  reminded  me  of  Noah's  ark  ;  but  Noah  had  a  wife  in 
one  corner  of  it,  and  in  this  particular  our  parallel  does  not  altogether  tally. 
^  receive  every  subject  of  natural  history  that  is  brought  to  me.  and  though 
they  do  not  match  into  my  ark,  from  all  (juarttr-    is  they  did  into  that  of  our 
great  ancestor,  yet  I  tind  means,  by  the  distribtUion  of  a  f«?w  fivepenny  bits, 
1 1  make  them  find  the  way  fast  enough.     A  boy,  not   long  ago,  brought  me  a 
large  basket  full  ■<\'  crows.      I  expect  hi:-  next  load  will  be  bull-frogs,    if  I 
don't  siion  issu(>  orders  t<i  the  contrary.     One  of  my  boys  caught  a  mouse  in 
school,  a  few  days  ago,  and  directly  marched  up  to  me  with  his  prisoner.     I 
set  about  ijrawiiig  it  that  same  evcniii'.',  :ind  all  the  while  the  pantings  of  its 
little  heart  showed   it  to  be  in  the    most  extreme   agonies  of  fear.     I  had  in- 
fended  to  kill  it,  in  order  to  fix  it  in  the  claws  of  a  stuffed  owl.  but  happening 
to  spill  a  few  drops  of  watt;  v.car  where  it  was  tied,  it  lapped  it  up  with  such 
eagerness,  and  luokrd   in  my  face  with  such  an  eye  of  supplicating  terror,  as 
jHTfeetly  overcame  me.      I  immediately  initied  it,  and  restored  it  to  life  and 
liberty      The  agonies  of  a  prisoner  at  the  stake,  while  the  fire  and  instrumentu 
of  t'lrment  are  preparing,  could  not  be  mon;  severe  than  the  sufffrings  of  that 
poor  mouse  ;  and,   insignificant  as  the  object  was,    I   felt  at   that   nionit'iit  the 
sweet  sensations  that  mercy  leaves  on  the  mind  when  she  triumphs  over  cruelty. 

"  -My  dear  friend,  you  see  I  take  the  liberty  of  an  old  ai'i|uaiiitiiiici'  with 
you,  i.  thus  trifling  with  your  time.  You  have  already  raised  me  out  nl'  the 
sloU)^,h  of  despond,  by  the  hopes  of  your  agreeable  conversation,  and  that  of 
ymir  amiable  pupil.  Nobody,  I  am  sure,  rejtiiees  more  in  her  aci|uisitiiin  of 
the  beautiful  aceomplislunent  nf  drawing  than  myself  1  hope  she  will  jier- 
severe.  I  am  j)ersuad<Ml  that  aii_\  pains  you  bestow  on  her  will  be  rewardt-d 
be;  ,)iid  your  expectations  He.sides,  it  will  be  a  new  link  in  that  chain  of 
friendship  tiiiil  ei>asaneiiiiiiiy  by  which  you  are  alreiely  united  ;  though  I  fear 
it  will  be  a  piiwerliii  »<idition  t'>  that  -Mtnnutiti  which  tii'i>  fully  sutheient 
bef  iro.  to  make  even  a  virtuoso  quit  his  uwU  and  op<>.st>uiu«.  and  think  of 
something  else." 

To  Mil  Wm.  Bartbam. 

"  Mny  2lHt,  r*>4 
''  I  send  you  a  few  more  imitations  of  bir^  <  for  your  opinion,  which  I  valuu 
beyond  that  of  anybody  else,  though  I  am  seriously  apprehensive  that  I  aiu 
(r'ublesome.     These  are  the  lost  I  shall  draw  for  soiue  time,  as  the  employ- 
ment cou.iumcs  every  leisure  moment,  leaving  nothing  fur  i'riondfihip,  or  tbos« 


]'i 


XXX 


LIFE    OF    WILSON. 


lit, 


rural  recreations  which  I  so  much  delii^'lit  in.  Kven  poetry,  whose  heavenly 
enthiisia.sni  I  used  to  gl.ry  in,  can  hardly  ever  find  mo  at  home,  so  much  lisis 
thi.s  bewitehini:  amusement  enffrisscd  all  my  senses. 

"  Pleiwe  to  send  me  fhf  names  of  the  birds.  I  wish  to  draw  a  small 
flower,  in  order  to  represent  the  humming-bird  in  the  act  of  feeding :  will 
you  be  so  good  as  to  send  me  one  suitable,  and  not  too  large  ?  The  legs  and 
fe*^t.  of  some  are  unfinished  ;  they  arc  all  miserably  imperfect,  but  your  gener- 
ooii  candor  I  know  to  be  bey<.H»d  all  their  defects." 


I<  'i 


To  Mr.  Wm.  B.ihtram. 

"Jnne  ir.th.  1S04. 
"  I  have  arranged  my  business  for  our  little  journey';  and,  if  to-morrow  be 
fair,  T  shall  have  the  chaise  ready  for  yon  at  any  time  in  the  morning,  say 
seven  o'clock.     Or  if  you  think  any  other  hour  m;>re   suitable,  please  to  let 
me  know  by  tho  bearer,  and  I  shrill  make  it  answerable  to  me." 

"Juno  16th,  1804. 
"  I  believe  we  had  better  put  off  our  intended  jaunt  until  some  more  aus- 
picious day. 

"  Clouils,  from  eastern  ri'sions  ilriiren, 
Still  ohdonrc  the  uloomy  okie*; 
I-cf  lis  _vi(>M,  since  Bn>rry  Heaven 
Krovvii!'  ii|iiiii  our  enl<"r|iri«e. 

"  Haply  some  iiii«cen  ili««<ler 

Hiiiii:  iniponilini:  "'ir  our  wthv, 
Whicli  our  kiiii)  Ainii^hlv  Miuiti'r 
Saw,  anil  iuught  u«  thu»  to  iMy. 

"  By  ami  I'y,  when  fair  .Varura 
Hills  the  ilni^iy  {!>,:•  to  fly, 
Aii.l  till'  ).'lori(iii«  !',<Mi  of  Flora 
nines  in  a  <louiIlr«s  "iky, 


Then,  in  whirling  rhnriot  icateil, 
With  my  frifixl  I'll  gUilly  p)  : 

With  his  ronviTsp  richly  Irecitcil — 
Ilnpjiy  to  l>c  honoreil  »o." 


The  iiicnnveniencos  of  hi-*  .«ituati<in,  as  tiacber  of  a  country  school,  deter- 
mined Wilson  to  endeavor  al^'-*"  some  employment  more  congenial  t*>  his  dis- 
|iii.«ition  ;  and  that  would  enable  him  to  attain  to  that  diHtinclion.  as  a  schol.-ir, 
which  he  was  aiixi  >us  to  merit.  He  con.s(-i|iieiitly  directed  his  views  to  tli.> 
'•  I^iteniry  Magazine. "  conducted  by  (\  \i.  Brown,  a  monthly  publication  of 
"iimc  note,  as  a  suilabic  vehicle  fir  'lie  diffusion  of  those  prodiictjuns  which  he 
hoped  would  arrest  the  attention  ot  the  public.  In  this  mngazitie  apjiearcd 
hii  "  Uur.il  Walk."  and  his  '■  Solitary  Tutor ;"  but  it  does  not  appear  that 
their  author  received  any  olhi-r  reward  fr  his  well-meant  endeavor^  than  the 
thanks  of  the   piibii.her       He  was  flattered,  it  is  true,  by  a  republication,  in 


LIFE    OP    WILSON. 


XXXI 


the  "  I'ort  Folio,"  of  the  "  Rural  Walk,"  with  some  "  coninicndations  of  its 
hdiutics;"  but  I  xnu8t  confess  that  my  perspicacity  has  not  enabled  me  to 
detect  them. 

The  then  editor  of  the  "  Port  Folio,"  Mr.  Dennie,  enjoyed  the  reputation 
of  being  a  man  of  tasto  and  judgment;  and  the  major  part  of  his  selections 
should  seem  to  prove  that  his  character,  in  these  respects,  was  well  founded. 
But  with  regard  to  the  poem  in  question,  I  am  totally  at  a  loss  to  discover 
by  what  principles  of  criticism  he  judged  it,  seeing  that  his  opinion  of  it  will 
by  no  means  accord  with  mine.  The  initial  stanza,  which  is  not  an  unfair 
specimen  of  the  whole,  runs  thus : 

"  The  summer  son  wan  riiling  high, 

The  woods  in  deepest  verdure  drcst ; 
From  caro  and  eloiuU  of  dust  to  fly, 
Across  yon  bubbling  brook  I  past." 

The  reader  of  classical  poetry  may  well  p.irdon  me  if,  out  of  an  effusion 
consisting  of  forty-four  stanza.s,  I  save  him  the  task  of  perusing  any  more  than 
one. 

To  Mr.  Lawsos. 

"Gbav's  Ferry,  August  14th,  1804. 
"  Dkar  Sir, 

'•  Enclosed  is  a  copy  of  the  '  Solitart/  Tutor,'  which  I  should  like  to  see 
in  the  'Literary  Magazine'  of  this  month,  along  with  the  other  poem  which 
I  sent  the  editor  last  week.  Wishing,  for  my  future  benefit,  to  call  the  public 
attention  to  these  pieces,  if,  in  the  editor's  opinion,  they  should  seem  worthy 
of  it,  I  must  request  the  favor  of  you  to  converse  with  him  on  this  subject. 
You  know  the  numerous  pieces  I  am  in  possession  of,  would  put  it  in  my 
power  t<i  support  tolerably  well  any  rocominoiidation  he  might  bestow  on  these ; 
and  wliile  they  would  not,  I  trust,  disgrace  the  pages  of  his  valuable  publica- 
tion, they  might  servo  as  my  introduction  to  the  literary  world,  and  as  a  sort 
of  inspiration  to  some  future  and  more  finished  attempts.  Knowing  that  you 
will  freely  pardon  the  ijuniifinn  of  vanity  that  suggested  these  hints, 

''  I  remain,  with  real  regard,  &c."  .    . 


To  .Mr  Wm.  Bautram. 

"Union  Schooi.,  September  17th,  1S04. 

"The  second  volume  of  I'inkerton's  Geography  has  a*  b '".'tb  made  its 
appearance;  and  I  take  the  freedom  of  transmitting  it,  ai.  .las,  for  your 

atn.isenient  To  condemn  so  extensive  a  work  before  a  re-perusal,  or  without 
talking  into  consitleration  all  the  difficulties  that  were  to  be  surmounted,  is, 
perhaps,  not  altogether  fair.  Vet  we  almost  always  form  our  judgment  from 
(he  first  impressions,  and  this  judgment  is  very  .-ieldom  relinf|i\isbed.  You 
will,  therefore,  exeuie  me  if  I  give  yoi^  some  of  the  impressions  made  on 
myself  by  a  cursory  perusal. 

'Taking  if  oil  in  nil.  it  is  certainly  the  best  treatise  on  the  subject  hitherto 
pulilisbed  ;  tli'MiL,'li  bad  the  author  extemled  his  plan,  and,  instead  of  two, 
given  us  fiur  volumes,  it  would  not  frequently  have  laid  him  under  the  ncces- 


XXXll 


LIFE   OF    WILSON. 


ii  i 


eity  of  disappointing  hi?  reader  by  t)ie  bare  mention  of  things  that  rc(|uired 
greater  illustration ;  and  of  eonipressiiig  the  natural  history  of  whole  regions 
into  half  a  jiage.  Only  th!rti/-/our  pages  allntted  to  the  wliole  United  States! 
This  is  brevity  with  a  vengeanee.  I  had  indeed  expected  from  the  exertions  of 
Dr.  Barton,  as  complete  an  account  of  the  natural  history  of  tliis  part  of  the  world 
as  his  means  of  information,  and  the  limits  of  the  work,  would  admit.  I  have 
been  miserably  disappointed;  and  you  will  pardon  mo  when  I  say  that 
his  omitting  entirely  the  least  reference  to  your  researches  in  botany  and 
zoolii"V.  and  .seeming  so  solicitous  to  let  us  know  of  liis  own  productions, 
bo'^peak  a  narrowness  of  mind,  and  self-eon.sequcnee,  which  are  truly  despica- 
ble. Kvcry  one  accjuaintcd  with  you  both,  would  have  confidently  trusted 
th;it  lie  Would  rejoice  in  tlie  opportunity  of  making  the  world  better  ac<|uainted 
with  a  man  whose  works  show  such  a  minute  and  intimate  knowledge  of  these 
subjects;  anil  from  whom  he  had  received  so  much  information,  liut  no — 
not  even  the  t^lightest  allusion,  lest  posterity  might  discover  that  there  existed, 
at  this  tune,  in  the  United  .'^lates,  a  naturalist  of  information  superior  to  his. 
Mv  dear  sir.  I  am  a  Seotehman,  and  don't  love  my  friends  with  that  cold  selfish 
prudence  which  I  sec  in  some;  and  if  I  offend  in  thus  speaking  from  the 
fulness  of  my  heart.  I  know  you  will  forgive  me. 

"  I'inkerton  has,  in<leed,  furnished  us  with  many  curious  particulars 
unknown,  or,  at  IcLst.  nnnoticetl.  by  all  former  geographers;  and  also  with 
other  items  long  since  explocK'd  as  fabulous  and  ridiculous  ;  sueJi  is  iiis  account 
of  the  I'pas  or  poisonous  tree;  and  of  children  having  been  lost  in  sime  of 
our  American  swamps,  and  of  being  8t>en  many  years  afterwards,  in  a  wild, 
savage  state  I  Htit  he  very  gravely  t<'lls  his  readers  that  tht;  people  of  S<'ot- 
land  eat  little  or  no  pork  from  a  prejudice  which  they  enterUiin  against  swine, 
the  I'evil  having  taken  possession  of  some  of  thoni  two  thou.saud  years  ago! 
What  an  enlightened  peojile  the.se  Seot.s  nmst  be;  and  what  a  delicate  taste 
they  must  be  possessed  of  I  Yet  I  have  traversed  nearly  three- fourths  of  that 
countrv.  and  mixed  much  with  the  common  people,  and  nt^ver  heard  of  such 
on  objection  before,  iiad  tlie  learned  author  t<dd  his  readers  that,  until  laio 
years,  ,'^eotland,  though  abounding  in  rich  pastures,  even  to  its  mountain  tops, 
was  yet  but  poorly  productive^  in  grain,  fruit,  »^e  ,  the  usual  food  oi'  hogs,  and 
tliat  on  this  account  innumerable  hcnls  of  slieep,  horses*  and  cattle  were 
raised,  and  but  very  little  pork,  he  would  then  have  statt.'d  the  simple  facts; 
and  not  subjected  himself  to  the  laughter  of  every  native  of  that  part  of 
]iritain. 

•■  As  to  the  pretended  antipathy  of  the  Scots  to  eels,  because  they  rcsendde 
snakes,  it  is  e<|ually  ridiculous  and  improl>able;  ninety-nine  out  of  a  hundred 
of  the  natives  never  saw  u  snake  in  their  lives.  The  fiet  is,  it  is  as  usual  to 
eat  eels  in  Scotland,  where  they  can  be  got,  as  it  is  iii  America;  and  althoucK 
I  have  fre<|uer.tly  heard  such  objections  made  to  the  eating  of  eels  here, 
where  snakes  are  so  common,  yet  1  do  not  remember  to  have  heatti  the  com- 
parison made  in  Scotland.  I  have  taken  notice  of  theiie  two  olwervHtions  of 
his.  because  they  arc  ajiplied  generally  to  the  Scoin,  making  them  appear  a 
Weak,  squeamish-stomached  set  of  beings,  infected  with  all  (he  prejudieen  aiul 
antipathies  of  children. 


LIFT    Oi-^    AVILSON. 


XXXIll 


"These  lire  some  of  my  objections  to  this  work,  which,  however,  in  other 
respects,  does  honor  to  tlie  talents,  learning,  and  industry  oi'  the  cuuipiler." 

In  the  month  of  October,  1804,  Wilson,  accompanied  with  two  of  hia 
friends,  set  out  on  a  pedestrian  journey  to  visit  the  fur-famed  cataract  of 
JJiiigi'ra,  whereof  he  had  heard  much,  but  which  ho  had  never  had  an  oppor- 
tunity of  beholding.  The  picturesque  scenery  of  that  beaut it'ij  river,  tho 
vastness  and  sublimity  of  the  cataract,  as  might  be  expected,  filled  the  bosom 
of  our  Iravelltir  with  tho  most  rapturous  emotions.  And  lie  ever  after 
declared,  that  no  language  was  suffieieiitly  comprehensive  to  convey  an  adeqiiato 
idea  of  that  woiidi>rful  euri<jsity. 

On  the  return  of  Wilson,  ho  cmplnycd  his  leisure  moments  in  writing  a 
poetical  narrative  of  tho  journey.  This  poem,  which  contains  some  int('r- 
csting  description,  and  pleasing  imagery,  is  entitled  "The  Foresters;"  and 
was  gratuitously  tendered  to  the  proprietors  of  tho  Port  Folio,  and  published 
in  that  excellent  miscellany,  in  the  years  lKO!t-10. 

This  expedition  was  undertaken  rather  too  late  in  the  season,  and,  conse- 
(juently,  our  travellers  were  subjected  to  hardships  of  which  they  were  not 
aware.  \Vinter  overtoiik  thorn  wbil^t  in  the  (icnesee  country,  in  their  return 
by  the  way  of  Albany  ;  and  tlicy  were  couipelled  to  trudge,  the  greater  part 
of  the  rout«,  through  snow  midleg  deep. 

To  Mb.  Wm.  Bartram. 

"flaw's  Fbrrv.  Dtvomber  15th,  IStM. 

"  Though  now  snug  at  lionio,  KM>king  back  in  recollection  on  the  long,  cir- 
cuitous journey  which  I  have  at  length  tinishe<l,  t"  'ough  deep  snows,  and 
almost  uninhabited  forests* ;  over  stuj»nii  ils  mountains,  and  down  dangerous 
rivers:  passing  over,  io  a  course  of  thirteen  hundred  miles,  as  great  a  •  ariety 
of  men  and  modes  of  living,  as  tho  sjono  es'>iit  of  eountry  can  exhibit  in  any 
|i;irl  of  the  rnitod  States-  th>  Mgh  iu  this  t..ur  1  h.-ive  had  every  disadvantage 
of  deep  roails  and  rough  leather ;  luirried  niarehen,  and  iiN«iiy  other  incun> 
veniences  U\  encounter, --yit  .so  far  am  I  from  being  satislied  with  what  I 
have  sci  II  or  discouraged  by  the  fatigues  which  every  traveller  must  submit 
to,  that  I  feel  mon  eager  than  ever  t»)  commence  some  more  extensive  expedi- 
tion ;  where  scenes  and  subjects  entirely  new,  and  generally  tinknown,  might 
reward  my  curiosity  ;  and  where  perhajis  my  humble  ae((uisitions  might  add 
soniethio'.;  to  the  stores  of  knowledge.  For  all  the  hazards  and  privatioim 
incident  to  such  an  undertaking,  1  feel  confident  in  my  own  spirit  and  residu- 
tion.  \\  ith  no  family  to  enchain  my  affictions  ;  no  tics  but  those  of  friend- 
ship; aixl  the  UK»,st  ardent  love  of  my  adopted  eo\intry — with  a  constitution 
which  hardens  amidst  fatigues  ;  and  u  disposition  sociable  and  open,  which  can 
'ill  1  ilsell  at  lioMM'  by  an  Indian  fire  in  the  depth  of  the  woods,  as  well  as  in 
the  best  apartment  of  the  eivili/.fd  ;  I  have  at  present  a  real  design  of  beeom- 
ing  a  traveller.  Hut  I  am  miserably  deficient  in  many  aeijuirements  abso- 
lutely necessary  for  HU<d»  u  character  IJotany,  mineralogy,  anil  drawing  I 
nitisl  ardently  wish  to  be  instructed  in,  and  with  the*<e  I  should  fear  nothing. 
Can  I  \<'t  maki  any  progress  in  botany,  sufficient  to  enable  me  to  be  useful, 
and  what  would  bo  the  most  jirojiur  way  to  proceed  '!     I  have  many  leisure 

Vol..  I.-U 


XXXIV 


LIFE    OF    WILSON, 


I!  ' 


momenta  that  should  be  devoted  to  this  pursuit,  provided  I  could  have  hopes 
of  succeeding.  Your  opinion  on  this  subject  will  confer  nn  additional  obliga- 
tion on  your  affectionate  friend."  .% 

It  is  worthy  of  remark,  that  when  mtfn  of  uncommon  talents  conceive  any 
great  scheme,  they  usually  overlook  those  circumstances  of  minor  importance, 
which  ordinary  minds  would  estimate  as  first  deserving  attention.  Tims  Wil 
son,  with  an  intelloct  ex|)aniled  with  information,  and  still  grasping  ut  further 
improvement  as  a  means  of  distinction,  would  fain  become  a  traveller,  even  at 
the  very  moment  when  the  sum  total  of  his  funds  amounted  to  »vvcnti/-fire 
cfttts! 

To  Mr.  Wm.  Puncw. 

"Or.^v's  Ferrv,  Docemljor  24th,  1804. 

"  You  have  no  doubt  looked  for  this  letter  long  ago,  but  I  wanted  to  see 
how  matters  would  finally  settle  with  respect  to  my  school  before  I  wrote; 
they  remain,  however,  as  uncertain  as  before;  and  this  quarter  will  do  little 
more  than  defray  my  bi)ar(l  and  firewood,  t'lrul'ortabie  intelligence  truly, 
mcthinks  I  hear  you  say  ;  but  no  matter.  ♦  *  *  * 

"  I  shall  begin  where  you  and  I  let\  off  our  story,  viz.  at  Aurora,  on  the 
shores  of  the  Cayuga.*  The  evening  of  that  day,  Isaac  and  I  lodged  at  tho 
outlet  of  Owasco  Lake,  on  the  turnpike,  seven  or  eight  miles  from  (^ayuga 
bridge;  wc  waded  into  the  stream,  wiushed  our  bootji  and  pant^iloons,  and 
walked  up  to  a  contemptible  dram-shop,  where,  taking  possession  of  one  side 
of  the  fire,  we  s;it  deafene<l  with  the  noise  and  hubbub  of  a  parcel  of  drunk 
tradesmen.  At  five  next  morning  wc  sUirted ;  it  had  frozen ;  and  the  road 
was  in  many  places  deep  and  slippery.  I  insensibly  got  into  a  hard  step  of 
walking;  I.saac  kept  groaning  a  rod  or  so  behind,  though  I  carried  his  gun. 
•  ♦  *  We  set  off  again  ;  and  wc  stopped  at  the  outlet  of  Skanc- 
atcles  Lake;  ate  some  pork-blublx'r  and  bread  ;  and  departwj.  At  about  two 
in  the  afterniKin  wc  pa-issed  Onondaga  Hollow,  and  lodged  in  Manlius  Square, 
a  village  <d"  thirty  houses,  that  have  risen  like  mushrooms  in  two  or  three 
years;  having  walked  this  day  thirty-four  miles.  On  the  morning  of  tho 
22il  we  started  as  umal  by  five  -road  rough — and  Isjuic  gruntitig  and  lagging 
behind.  This  day  we  weiv  joinetl  by  another  young  trav<*llcr,  returning 
home  to  his  father's  on  the  Mohawk  ;  he  had  a  pocket  bottle,  and  made  fre- 
quent and  lont'  application"*  of  it  to  his  lips  The  road  this  day  bad,  and 
the  snow  dee|>or  than  Ket<>i?e.  l*a(«»iiig  through  Oneida  ejistle,  I  visited  every 
house  within  thrw  hundrc<i  yards  of  the  road,  and  chatted  to  the  copper- 
colored  tribe.  1«  the  eveninL.'  we  lodged  at  I.ard's  tavern,  within  eleven  miles 
of  I'tiea,  the  roads  deplorably  bad.  and  Isaac  and  his  disconsolate  companion 
groaning  at  every  "tep  behind  w.  so  (hat.  as  drummers  do  in  battle.  I  was 
fre<jueniiy  obliic»H|  to  k««f  bofon*.  and  sing  some  lively  ditty,  to  drown  the 
"onnd  of  their  ohs  !  Mfi4  »)»>■'  hm-I  O  Lords!  The  r<>«d  f'r  fiOecn  or  twenty 
miles  was  kneo-decp  of  mud.  ^e  entered  I'tioa  at  nim-  the  ni'xt  morning. 
This  fkM'c  iit  ttkroc  ti»e«  larcer  than  it  w;u(  four  yenm  ago ;  and  from  Oneida 


*llr.  Ihtncan  remainrd  MiQ«g  hit  friendj  at  Aar«r«. 


LIFE    OF    WILSON. 


XXXV 


to  Utica  is  almost  iin  cnfiro  cnntinucil  villnpo.  This  evening  we  lodged  on 
the  east  side  of  tlic  Moliawk,  tii'tei-n  niiluH  below  L'tica,  near  which  I  shot  a 
hird  of  the  size  of  a  niockingbird,  wiiich  proves  to  be  one  never  yet  described 
t,y  naturalists.  I  have  it  here  in  excellent  order.  From  the  town  ealled  Her- 
kimer wo  set  off  through  deep  mud,  and  some  snow ;  and  about  mid-day,  be- 
tween Kast  and  West  Canada  Creeks,  I  shot  three  birds  of  the  jay  kind,  all 
of  one  species,  which  appears  to  be  undescribed.  Mr.  liartrani  is  greatly 
pleased  at  the  discovery;  and  I  have  saved  two  of  them  in  tolerable  condition.  . 
licliiw  the  Littli!  Falls  the  road  was  excessively  bad,  and  Isaac  was  almost  in 
despair,  in  spite  of  all  I  could  do  to  encourage  him.  We  walked  this  day 
twenty-four  miles ;  and  early  on  the  25th  started  off  again  through  deep  mud, 
till  we  came  within  fifteen  miles  of  Schenectady,  when  a  boat  ciuning  down 
the  river,  Isaac  expressed  a  wish  to  got  on  board.  I  walked  six  miles  aiter- 
wards  by  myself,  till  it  got  so  dark  that  I  could  hardly  rescue  myself  from  the 
mud-holes.  The  next  morning  I  entered  Schenectady,  but  Isaac  did  not  arrive, 
in  the  boat,  till  noon.  Mere  we  took  the  stage-coach  for  .Mbany,  the  roads 
being  excessively  bad,  and  arrived  there  in  the  evening.  After  spending  two 
days  in  .Mbany,  we  departed  in  a  sloop,  and  reached  New  York  on  Saturday, 
at  noon,  the  first  of  I)ceember.  My  boots  were  now  reihiced  U>  legs  and  upjjcr 
leathers;  and  my  jjautaloons  in  a  sad  plight.  Twelve  dollars  were  expended 
(in  these  two  articles.  *♦♦*** 

"On  Friday,  the  7lh  December,  T  reached  dray's  Ferry,  having  walked 
forty  Sv!veu  miles  that  day.  I  was  absent  two  months  on  this  journey,  and  I 
traversed  in  that  time  upwards  ol'  twelve  hundred  miles. 

"  The  evening  of  my  arrival  I  went  to  I<***h's,  whose  wife  had  got  twins, 
a  boy  and  a  girl.  The  boy  was  called  after  mo  :  this  honor  took  six  dollars 
more  from  mc.  .\fter  paying  for  a  cord  of  wood,  I  was  letl  with  only  three 
quarh^rs  of  a  dollar." 

To    Mr.  W.M.    R.VKTRAM. 

"  Union  School,  December  24th,  1804. 

"I  have  perused  Dr.  Barton's  publication,*  and  return  it  with  many  thanks 
for  the  agreeable  ami  un(>xpcctcd  treat  it  has  afforcled  nie.  The  description  of 
the  Falls  of  Niagara  is,  in  some  places,  a  just,  though  faint,  delineation  of  that 
stupendous  cataract.  Hut  many  interesting  particulars  are  omitted;  and  much 
of  th"  writer's  reasoning  on  the  improbability  of  the  viinmj  mrny  of  the  pre- 
cipice, and  consc(|uent  reeessinn  of  the  falls,  seems  eontra<lictcd  by  every  ap- 
IHjarance  there  ;  and  many  other  a.ssertions  are  incorrect.  Yet  on  such  a  sub- 
ject, everything,  however  trifling,  seems  to  attract  attention  :  the  reader's 
iiingination  supplying  him  with  scenery  in  abundance,  even  amidst  the  feeble- 
ness and  barrenness  of  the  meanest  writer's  description. 

"  .\ft<>r  this  article,  1  wa.s  most  agreeably  amused  with  '  .\nccdotes  of  an 
,\inerican  Crow,'  written  in  such  a  plea.sing  style  of  playful  humor,  as  I  have 
seldom  seen   surpassed;  and   forming  a  perfect  antidote   against  the  spleen; 

•The  Philrxlelphia  Medical  ami  I'hytical  Journal,  Vol.  I. 


,■11- 
i 


^^,,i  LIFE    OF    WILSON. 

iibouiidiiij;,  at  the  same  time,  with  oKservatioiis  and  reflections  not  unworthy  of 
!i  pliilosopher. 

•■  The  fiketch  of  your  father's  life,  witli  tlie  extraotw  from  his  letters,  I  read 
with  Miucli  pleasure.  They  will  remain  lastinj;  nioniimenf.s  of  the  worth  and 
respectability  of  the  father,  as  well  as  of  tiie  tilial  affection  of  the  son. 

••  The  description  of  the  Choctaw  ]ii)nrpiikir»  is  a  picture  so  liorrible,  that 
I  think  nolhinj;  can  exceed  it.  Many  other  jjicces  in  this  work  are  new  and 
interesting.  It  cannot  fail  to  promote  the  knowledge  of  natural  history,  and 
deserves,  on  this  account,  every  support  and  oncouragemont." 

To  Mr.  Wm.  Hartram. 

"  December  2Cth,  1804. 
"  I  send  for  your  amusement  the  •'  Literary  Magazine"  for  September,  in 
wfiich  you  will  find  a  well-written,  and,  except  in  a  few  places,  a  correct  de- 
scription of  the  great  Falls  of  Niagara.  I  yesterday  saw  a  drawing  of  them, 
taken  in  ITiiH,  and  observe  thut  many  large  rocks,  thai  *ed  formerly  to  appear 
in  the  rapids  above  tlie  llorseshots  Falls,  are  ntiw  swept  away  ;  and  the  form  of 
the  curve  considerably  alti-red,  the  conseipu'nce  of  its  gradual  rotrogression. 
I  hope  this  account  will  entertain  you,  as  I  think  it  by  far  the  most  complete 
I  have  yet  seen. 

To  Mr.  Wm.  DtscAN. 

"  KiNusE.ssiNo,  February  120th,  1805. 
"I  received   yours  of  January   1st,  and   wrote    immediately;   but  partly 
through  negligence,  and  partly  thiough  accident,  it  has  not  been  put  into  tho 
post-office;  and  i  now  sit  down  to  give  you  some  additional  particulars. 

***** 

••  This  winter  has  been  entirely  lost  ti>  mo,  as  well  aa  to  yourself.  I  shiill 
on  tlie  twilfth  of  n(  \t  nmntli  be  scarcely  able  to  collei-t  a  sutheieney  to  jmy  my 
board,  having  not  more  than  twenty-seven  scholars.  Five  or  six  families,  who 
used  to  send  me  their  children,  have  been  almost  in  a  stato  of  starvation. 
The  rivers  .Schuylkill  and  Delaware  arc  still  shut,  and  wagons  arc  passing  and 
rcpttssiiig  at  this  moment  ujvin  the  ice. 

•  The  solitary  hours  of  this  winter  I  liavo  employed  in  completing  the  poem 
wbieh  I  originally  intended  for  a  dcscrij)tion  of  your  first  journey  to  Ovid.  It 
is  now  so  altered  as  to  be.ir  little  resemblance  to  tbt;  original;  audi  have 
named  it  the  '  Fonnlrr*.'  It  begins  with  a  deseriptimi  of  the  Fall  or  Indian 
Summer,  and  relates,  minutely,  our  peregrinations  and  adventures  until  our 
arrival  at  Catharine  Landing,  occupying  fen  hundred  and  thirty  lines.  Tho 
rctiiaiiider  will  occupy  nearly  as  much;  and  as  I  shall,  if  ever  1  publish  it, 
in.'ort  numerous  notes,  I  should  be  glad  if.  while  you  are  on  the  spot,  you 
would  collect  every  intercepting  anecdote  you  can  of  tho  country,  and  of  the 
places  which  we  passed  through.     Hunting  stories,  Sic,  peculiar  to  the 

would  be  acceptable.     I  should   be  extremely  glad  to  spend  one  after- 
noon with  you  for  tho  benelit  of  your  criticisms.     I  lent  tho  poem  to  Mr.     • 

*  *         *     our  senator,  who  seems  to  think  it  worth  reading;  and     •     * 

*  ♦      has  cxpru.ssed  many  flattering  compliments  on  my  labors;  but  I  don't 


LIFE    OF    WILSON. 


XXXVIl 


value  either  of  their  opinions  ho  much  as  I  w<iuiil  yours.  I  havt,  bestowed 
more  pain»  upon  thin  than  I  ever  ilid  upon  any  former  pnem ;  and  if  it  contain 
nothing  really  good,  I  shall  for  ever  deppair  of  producing  any  other  that  will." 

To  Mr.  Wm.  Bartram. 

"  March  4th,  1805. 
"  My  Pear  Friend, 

"  This  day  the  heart  of  every  repuMiean,  of  every  good  man,  within  the 
iniFMcnso  limits  of  our  happy  country,  will  leap  with  joy  ! 

'•The  re-appciiutmcnt  and  contiiiuaiice  of  our  belnved  Jefferson  to  superin- 
tend our  national  concerns,  is  one  of  those  distinguished  blessings  who.se  bene- 
ficent effects  extend  to  posterity ;  and  whose  value  our  hearts  may  feel,  but 
can  never  express. 

"  1  congratulate  with  you,  my  dear  friend,  on  this  happy  event.  The 
enlightened  philnsopher, — the  (lislhij/iinhcd  iitilnntfisl, — thajiml  slsiltxman  oii 
earth, — the  friend,  the  ornament  of  science,  is  the  father  of  our  country, 
the  faithful  guardian  of  our  liberties.  May  tlie  precious  fruits  of  such  pre- 
eminent talents  long,  long  be  ours  :  and  the  grateful  effusions  of  millions  of 
freemen,  at  a  far  distant  period,  follow  their  aged  and  honored  patriot  to  the 
peact  ful  tomb 

"  I  am  at  present  engaged  in  drawing  the  two  birds  which  I  brought  from 
the  Mohawk ;  and,  if  1  can  finish  them  to  your  approbation,  I  intend  to  trans- 
mit them  to  t)ur  excellent  president,  as  the  child  of  an  amiable  parent  presenta 
to  its  affectionate  father  some  little  token  of  \X»  esteem. 

To  .Mil.  Wm.  I»i;n('an. 

(■ray's  Ferrv,  March  2tjth,  ISOf). 

"I  received  your  letter  of  January  1st,  some  time  about  the  beginning  of 
February;  and  wrote  the  same  evening  very  fully  ;  but  have  heard  nothing  in 
ri'turn.  Col.  S.  desires  mo  to  tell  you  to  be  in  no  uneasiness,  nor  part  ,ith 
the  place  to  a  disadv.'itifage  on  his  account.  His  son  has  been  with  me  since 
January.  I  tobl  you  in  my  last  of  the  thinness  of  my  school :  it  produced  mc 
the  last  (juarter  only  twenty  six  scholars ;  and  the  sum  u{'  fij'tien  dollars  w,-ui 
all  the  moiu-y  I  couM  raise  from  them  at  the  end  of  the  term.  I  immediately 
called  the  trustees  together,  and,  stating  the  affair  to  them,  proposed  giving 
up  the  s(diool.  Two  of  them  on  the  spot  offered  to  .Hiibscribo  between  tlieiu 
one  liundred  dollars  a-year,  rather  than  permit  mo  to  go;  and  it  was  agreed  to 
call  a  meeting  of  the  peojde  :  the  result  was  honorable  to  me,  for  forty-i  ight 
scholars  were  in.'^tantly  subscribed  lor;  so  that  the  ensuing  six  months  my 
s(ho<il  will  be  wortli  pretty  near  two  hundred  dollars.  So  much  for  my 
allairs.  «**♦*»** 

"1  have  never  had  a  scrap  from  Scotland  since  last  sutuiner ;  but  I  am 
muili  more  anxious  to  hoar  from  you.  I  liope  you  have  weathered  this  terri- 
ble winter,  and  that  your  heart  and  your  \\m\><  an^  as  sound  as  ever.  I  also 
moht  devoutly  wish  that  matters  coubl  be  managed  so  that  we  eouhl  b« 
together.  This  farm  must  either  be  sold,  or  let  ;  it  must  not  for  ever  be  ft 
great  gulf  between  us.     I  have  spent  most  of  my  Icij-ttre  liours  this  wiuteV  In 


7^ 


■ 


!      J 


XXXVlll 


LIFK    OF    WILSON. 


writing  the  "  F<>ri!<f('ni,"  u  jnn'in  (li'fn'ri|itivo  of  nur  JKUiiu-y.  1  liiivo  bruught 
it  up  only  to  my  wiiootiiij;  fX|HMlitiiin  at  tlio  JiuiiJ  Of  thu  Sfnecii  Luke;  und  jt 
amounts  alriady  to  twelve  Iiuii(iriil  linei*.  I  hojte  lliat  when  you  ami  I  ineot, 
it  will  adortl  you  more  |)loa«urc  than  any  of  my  |iriulu(tioiis  lia.s  ever  (loiic. 
Tlic  two  nondfM'rii'l  Inrd.s*  wliieli  1  killfdon  the  .Mohawk,  attracted  the  iiotieo 
of  several  naturali(*t,>i  ahout  I'hiladelphia.  ()u  the  4th  of  Mareh  1  set  to  work 
upon  a  larjje  nheet  of  tine  drawinj;-|)apor.  and  in  fen  day.x  I  tinished  two  faith, 
ful  drawings  of  them,  far  nuperior  to  any  that  I  had  done  before.  In  tlio 
back  ground  I  represented  u  view  of  thu  Falls  of  Niugani,  .with  the  wiwtds 
wrought  in  as  (imly  iw  I  pos.sildy  could  do.  .^Ir.  F.awson  was  highly  pleased 
with  it,  and  .^!r.  IJartram  was  even  more  so.  I  then  wrote  a  letter  to  that  Lett 
of  men,  Mr.  .lefferson,  which  Mr.  linrtram  enclosed  in  one  of  his  (both  of 
which,  at  lea.>t  copio  of  them.  I  >li.ill  .-Iupw  you  when  we  meet),  and  sent  off 
the  whole,  carefully  rolled  up,  by  the  mail,  on  the  L'dth  inst.,  to  .Montieello,  iu 
Virginia.  The  jay  I  presented  to  Mr.  I'eale,  at  his  roi|uest,  and  it  is  now  in 
the  .Museum.  I  have  done  but  few  other  drawings,  being  so  intent  on  the 
poem.  I  hope  if  you  fintl  any  curious  birds,  you  will  attempt  to  preserve 
them,  or  at  least  their  skins;  if  a  small  bird  be  carefully  skinne  i,  it  can  easily 
beset  up  at  any  time.  I  still  intend  to  complete  my  collection  of  drawings; 
but  the  last  will  be  by  far  the  best.  *  *  *  * 

"  The  poor  of  I'hiladelphia  h.ive  suffered  extremely  this  winter,  the  river 
having  been  frozen  up  for  more  tlian  two  months,  yet  the  ice  went  away  with- 
out doing  any  damage.  I  must  again  reijuest  that  you  and  Alexander  would 
Collect  the  skins  of  as  many  birds  as  you  have  not  seen  here.  ♦  *  *  ♦ 
The  process  of  skinning  the  birds  uniy  amuse  you  ;  and  your  collection  will  be 
exceedingly  agreeable  to  nie.  In  the  mean  time  never  lose  sight  of  getting 
rid  of  the  troublesome  farm,  if  it  can  be  done  with  advantage;  so  that  we 
may  once  more  be  together;  And  write  to  tue  frei|uently. 

'•I  have  now  nothing  more  t4i  say,  but  to  give  my  affectionate  compliments 
to  your  mother  and  all  the  family,  and  to  wish  you  every  comfort  that  the  statu 
of  society  you  are  in  can  afford.  With  the  great  volume  of  naturt'  beforo 
you.  you  can  never,  while  in  health,  be  without  amusement.  Keep  a  diary  of 
every  thing  you  meet  with  that  is  curious.  Look  out,  now  i^nd  then,  for 
natural  curiosities  as  you  traverse  your  fana  ;  und  rciucuiber  me  as  you  wander 
through  your  woody  solitudes. 

Fkom  Mit.  Jkfkeuson. 

'•  .MoNTicELU),  April  7th,  1805. 
"  Sir, 

I  received  here  yesterday  your  favor  of  .March  18th,  with  the  elegant 
drawings  of  the  new  birds  you  found  on  your  tour  to  Niagara,  for  which  I  pr.iy 
you  to  accept  my  thanks.  The  jay  is  (|uitu  unknown  to  me.  From  uiy 
Dbservations  while  in  Kurope,  on  the  birds  and  <|Uadruj)eds  of  that  (Quarter,  I 
am  of  opinion  there  is  not  iu  our  cuutiueiil  u  single  bird  or  4U&drui>ed  which 


*  One  of  these  liirds  wm  the  Canaila  Jav  (Am.  Oru.  vol.  3,  p.  33,  uJ.  Ut)  which  wu 

known  lo  naturaliriU. 


,-  ~..:i^S&injtaamitmifMMv 


LIFE    OF    WILSON. 


xxxix 


11  not  Hufficitiiitly  uiilik(t  all  tho  utoinbora  of  ittt  family  tlicro  to  bo  oonHidcrnd 
OH  cpecificiilly  different;  dii  thiH  fteiipnil  obsorvutiou  I  conoludo  with  t'oiiliduiicti 
tliiit  yiiiir  jiiy  iH  iiiit  n  Kiiropciin  bird. 

"The  tirnt  bird  on  the  Hanio  Mliuot  I  jud^o  to  be  a  MuHcicapa  from  it«  bill, 
as  well  an  from  tlio  I'oijiiwiiii;  eirciimstanco.  Two  or  three  days  before  my 
arrival  hero  a  neijjhbor  killed  a  bird,  miknowu  to  him,  and  never  before  Been 
here,  tm  far  an  he  eould  learn ;  it  wa.s  brou^'ht  to  me  hooii  after  I  arrived  ;  but 
in  the  dii.sk  of  the  evening,  and  ho  ]intrid  that  it  could  not  he  approached  but 
with  diMgiii*t.  liut  I  retain  a  Kuflicicntly  exact  idea  of  itH  form  and  colorH  to 
be  Matislied  it  is  tho  Hame  with  yonr.s.  Tho  only  diflerenee  I  find  in  yours  18 
that  tho  white  on  tho  back  is  not  ho  pure,  and  that  the  one  I  Haw  hud  a  little 
of  a  cre.st.  Your  fi|jur(!.  compared  with  the  white-bellied  (i"lif-moiii/u),  8  Huff. 
1)4:2,  i'l.  enluni.  r>l(t!,  nIiow.s  a  near  relation.      Kiiffon's  is  dark  on  the  back. 

"  Ah  you  are  eurious  in  birdw,  tliero  is  ono  well  worthy  your  attention,  to  bo 
foiind)  I'r  rather  heard,  in  every  j)art  of  Ameriea,  and  yet  Beareuly  ever  to  be 
sOen  ;  it  i.s  in  all  the  lorc-ts,  friou  spring  to  fall,  and  never  but  on  the  tops  of 
the  tallest  trees,  from  which  it  perpetually  Serenades  us  with  somo  of  tho 
sweetest  notes,  and  as  cliNir  as  those  of  the  iii;_'litingale.  I  have  followed  it 
for  niile.s  without  eviT,  but  once,  getting  a  good  view  id'  it.  It  is  of  the  size 
and  make  of  the  moeking-bird,  lightly  thrush-colored  on  the  back,  and  a  gray- 
ish-whito  on  the  bri'ast  and  belly.  Mr.  Uandolph,  my  son-in-law,  was  in  pos- 
Hcssiim  of  one  which  had  hi  m  shot  by  a  neighbor;  he  jironounees  this  also  n 
Muscicapa,  anil  I  think  it  much  resembling  the  Muiirhi  -roUe  de  ht  Murtiiiiquf, 
8  Huffon,  H71,  I'l.  enlum.  5ti8.  As  it  abounds  in  all  tho  neighborhood  of 
I'hiladelphia,  you  may  jierhaps  by  patience  and  perseverance  (of  which  much 
will  be  re,  ^ite)  get  a  sight,  if  not  a  piis.se.ssion  of  it.  I  have  for  twenty 
yoam  iiitore8t«r<  the  young  sporti-nu'ii  of  my  neighborhood  to  shoot  mo  one ; 
but  as  yet  without  success.     Aceept  my  salutations  and  assuranees  of  respect. 

Tu.  Jeffehso.n." 

To  Ma.  V    '    Uahtram. 

"April  18th.  1805. 

"  By  Mr.  Jef^nwn's  condettceuding  uM>i  very  intolli^ont  letter  to  nie,  which 
I  eiu'lose  for  yo^  r  perusal,  it  appears  that  our  jay  is  an  cntirelv  new,  or  rither 
undescribed  bird,  which  met  nic  on  the  banks  of  the  .>/  >bawk,  to  do  me  tho 
honor  of  ushering  him  t4i  tho  world.  This  duty  I  ha\e  ronsoientiou.sly  dis- 
charged, by  in'>roducin'.r  him  to  two  ■  ituralists:  the  one  eiideare-i  •  i  me,  and 
every  lover  of  science,  by  the  benevolence  of  his  heart;  and  tli<  other  or- 
dained by  Heaven  t<)  move  in  a  distinguished  orbit — an  honor  to  fh'-  human 
race — the  pulron  of  nciimi ,  and  best  hope  of  republicans  1  I  say,  that  no  bird, 
since  Noah's  days,  eould  boast  of  such  distitiiruishcd  honor. 

•  Mr.  Jefferson  speaks  of  a  very  strange  bird;  plea.se  let  mo  know  what  it 
is;  I  shall  be  ou  the  look-out,  and  he  mu.st  bo  a  sly  fellow  if  he  escape  me.  I 
shall  watch  his  niotioro.  .o.i  'he  sound  of  his  *>  rfiutdr,  pretty  closely,  to  be 
able  to  transmit  to  our  won'.> ,  president  a  faithful  ckctch  of  a  bird,  which  ho 
has  been  so  long  curious  to  [>•  «8eB8." 


■i. 


#. 

..^.  -"^2 


<>.  ^0.  V    o 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


1.0 


I.I 


1.25 


1^  m 

22 


lb 


2.0 


1.8 


i^    III  1.6 


Photographic 

Sciences 
Corporation 


^%  '^^  ^ 


V' 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  NY    I4S80 

(716)  872-4&03 


<i> 


/. 


^ 


J 


•1'    1 


zl 


LIFE   OF   WILSON. 


.;'^.  i 


To  Mb.  Wm.  Duncan. 

"  Orat's  Firrt,  May  8th,  1805. 

"  I  am  glad  to  understand  that  the  pkntation  is  increasing  uo  fast  in  value, 
but  more  so  that  it  is  not  either  sold  or  otherwise  disposed  of  at  the  low  rate 
at  which  we  would  have  once  thrown  it  away ;  yet  it  is  the  perpetual  cause  of 
separating  us,  which  I  am  very  sorry  for.  I  am  living  a  mere  hermit,  not 
spending  one  farthing,  to  see  if  I  possibly  can  reimburse  ****,  who  I  can  see 
is  not  so  courteous  and  affable  aa  formerly.  I  hope  to  be  able  to  pay  him  one 
hundred  dollars,  with  interest,  n«xt  October,  and  the  remainder  in  the  spring, 
we  shall  then  be  clear  of  the  world ;  and  I  don't  care  how  many  privations  I 
suffer  to  effect  that.  I  associate  with  nobody;  spend  my  leisure  hours  in 
drawing,  wandering  through  the  woods,  or  playing  upon  the  violin. 

"  I  informed  you  in  my  last  of  sending  Mr.  Jefferson  drawings  of  the  Falls, 
and  some  birds,  which  I  found  on  the  Mohawk,  and  which  it  seems  have  never 
been  taken  notice  of  by  any  naturalist.  He  returned  me  a  very  kind  and 
agreeable  letter,  from  Monticello,  expressing  many  obligations  for  the  drawings, 
which  he  was  highly  pleased  with;  and  describing  to  me  a  bird,  which  he  is 
veny  desirous  of  possessing,  having  interested  the  young  sportsmen  of  his 
neighborhood,  he  says,  these  twenty  years,  to  shoot  him  one,  without  success. 
It  is  of  the  size  and  make  of  the  mocking-bird,  lightly  thrush-colored  on  the 
back,  and  grayish-white  on  the  breast ;  is  never  heard  but  from  the  tops  of 
the  tallest  trees,  whence  it  continually  serenades  us  with  some  of  the  sweetest 
notes,  and  as  clear  as  those  of  the  nightingale.  Mr.  Bartram  can  give  no  ac- 
count of  this  bird,  except  it  be  the  wood  rubin,  which  I  dun't  think  it  is;  for 
Mr.  Jefferson  says,  '  it  u  scarcely  ever  to  be  seen  ;'  and  '  I  have  followed  it  for 
miles  without  ever,  but  once,  getting  a  good  view  of  it.'*  I  have  been  on  the 
look-out  ever  since,  but  in  vain.  If  you  „an  hear  of  such  a  bird,  let  me  know. 
I  wish  you  also  to  look  for  the  new  bird  which  I  discovered.  It  is  of  the 
size  of  the  blue  jay;  and  is  of  that  genus — of  a  dull  lead  color  on  the  back — 
the  forehead' white — black  on  the  back  of  the  neck — the  broiist  and  belly  a 
dirty,  or  b.ownish  white,  with  a  white  ring  round  ita  nock — its  logs  and  bill 
exactly  the  jay's.  l*ray  inquire  respecting  it,  and  any  other  now  bird.  If 
they  could  be  conveyed  to  me,  drawings  of  them,  presented  to  the  same  dig- 
nified character,  might  open  the  road  to  a  better  acquaintance,  and  something 
better  might  follow.     Alexander  and  you,  will,  I  hope,  be  on  the  look-out  with 

*  After  many  inquiries,  and  an  unwearied  research,  it  turned  oat  that  this  invisible  mn- 
lician  was  no  other  than  the  Woud  liubin,  a  bird  wliich,  if  sought  for,  in  those  places 
which  it  affects,  may  be  seen  every  hour  of  the  day.  Its  favorite  haunts  Wilson  has 
beautifully  dcKcribc<l  in  its  history;  but  so  far  from  (wing  found  always  "on  the  tops 
of  the  tallest  trees, "  it  is  seldom  seen  in  such  places,  but  seems  to  prefer  tlie  horizoiitiil 
branches,  at  no  );reat  height,  especially  when  piping  its  exquisitely  melodious  song.  One 
of  its  names,  the  Ground  Kobin,  is  derived  from  the  circumstance  of  its  l)eing  frequently 
seen  upon  the  ground.  Its  song  consists  of  several  distinct  parts,  at  the  conclusion  of 
each  of  which  it  commonly  flies  a  few  feet  and  rests  just  long  enough  to  continue  the 
•train.  A  person  uniic(|u»inted  with  these  particulars,  would  suppose  that  he  heard  several 
birds,  in  various  ((imrtcrs,  responding  to  each  other,  and  would  tind  it  hard  to  boiievf 
that  the  whole  was  the  performance  of  ono. 


M 


LIFE   OF   WILSON. 


Zli 


ihe  gun,  and  kill  every  bird  that  comes  in  your  way;  and  keep  written  de- 
Bcriptiona,  or  the  skins,  if  possible,  of  those  you  don't  know.  Were  I  able,  I 
wotild  undertake  another  journey  up  to  you  through  the  wodds,  while  the  birds 
are  abundant;  and  nothing  would  give  me  so  much  pleasure  as  to  make  uaother 
extensive  tour  with  you  for  this  purpose ;  for  I  am  persuaded  that  there  are 
many  species  yet  undescribed ;  and  Mr.  Jefferson  is  anxious  to  replenish  his 
museum  with  the  rare  productious  of  his  country." 


/ 


To  Mr.  Wm.  Duncan. 

"Gray's  Fbrut,  May  Slst,  1805. 

"  Yesterday  evening  I  was  finishing  a  hanging-bird  in  my  silent  mansion, 
musing  upon  a  certain  affair,  when  Mr.  L.  popped  his  head  in  at  the  window, 
with  a  letter.  I  instantly  laid  down  my  pencil,  and  enjoyed  a  Wcial  crack 
witif  my  distant  friend ;  and  was  heartily  and  truly  pleased  with  the  upshot. 
In  everything  relative  to  this  land  business,  you  have  acted  amidst  difficulties 
and  discouragements  with  prudence  and  discretion.  In  refusing  to  engage 
with  ******  you  acted  well ;  and  I  doubt  not  but  you  will  be  equally 
circumspect  in  making  a  transfer  of  the  property,  so  that  the  Yankee  will  not 
be  able,  even  if  he  were  willing,  to  take  you  in.  More  than  half  of  the 
roguery  of  one-half  of  mankind  is  owing  to  the  simplicity  of  the  other  half. 
You  have  my  hearty  concurrence  in  the  whole  affair,  for  I  impatiently  wish 
you  beside  me,  not  only  to  enjoy  your  society  and  friendship,  but  to  open  to 
you  the  book  of  knowledge,  and  enable  you,  in  your  turn,  to  teach  it  to  others. 
In  plain  language.  I  wish  you  to  prosecute  your  studies  with  me  a  few 
months ;  a  school  will  soon  bo  found,  and  you  can  then  pursue  them  without 
expense,  and  I  trust  with  pleasure.  The  business  has  indeed  ita  cares,  but 
affords  leisure  for  many  amusements ;  and  is  decent  and  reputable  when 
properly  discharged.  I  am  living  in  solitude ;  spending  nothing ;  diligently 
attending  to  the  duties  of  the  day;  and  filling  up  every  leisure  moment 
with  drawing  and  music.  I  have  bought  no  clothes,  nor  shall  I,  this  sum- 
mer; therefore  if  you  settle  the  matter  with  *  *  *  as  you  have  agreed,  we 
can  di3()harge  our  obligations  to  *  *  ^  '*',  and  be  in  a  state  to  go  on  with 
your  studies  for  at  least  six  months.  Mr.  *  *  *  *  was  here  yesterday,  and 
expre.osed  miny  aoknowledgnienta  for  the  rapid  progress  ****■'•  jg  making, 
fur  indeed  I  have  exerted  myself  to  pay  my  obligations  to  the  father  by  my 
attentions  to  the  son. 

"  I  wrote  you  Respecting  the  letter  I  had  from  the  president.  I  have 
never  been  able  to  ^ot  a  sight  of  the  bird  he  mentions.  I  hope  you  will  not 
neglect  to  bring  your  gun  with  you,  and  look  out  as  you  come  along, 

"  I  have  done  no  more  to  the  '  Foresters.'  The  journey  is  brought  up  to 
my  expedition  upon  the  Seneca  Lake.  I  am  much  in  want  of  notes  of  the 
tir.st  settlement,  and  present  state,  of  the  different  places  that  we  passed,  as  we 
went  up  the  Susquehanna;  everything  of  this  kind,  with  hunting  anecdotes, 
&c.,  I  wish  you  to  collect  in  your  way  down.  The  reniaiudcr  of  the  poem  will, 
I  hope,  Ijo  superior  to  what  is  already  written,  the  scenery  and  incidents  being 
more  interesting ;  and  will  extend  to  at  least  another  fifteen  hundred  lines, 


zUi 


LIFE  OF    WILSON. 


■I         .   1  ,j  »:( 


wbich  will  muke  iu  all  about  three  thousaad.'*'  The  notes  will  swell  it  to  a 
tolerable  size. 

"  The  '  Rural  Walk,'  which  I  published  last  summer  in  the  Literary  Maga- 
«ine,  has  been  lately  republished  in  the  Port  Folio,-|-  with  many  commendations 
on  its  beauties.  The  '  SoUtarj/  Tutor'  met  with  much  approbation.  But  I 
reserve  my  beat  efiForta  for  the  remainder  of  the  '  Foresters.'  *        * 

"I  have  not  mentioned  anything  of  the  sale  of  the  lani,  nor  shall  I  until 
the  business  is  finally  concluded.  I  shall  expect  to  hear  from  you  at  least 
twice  yet  before  you  arrive;  and  I  hope  you  will  make  no  unnecessary  delay 
in  returning.  As  you  cut  a  pretty  ragged  appearance  at  present,  and  want 
something  to  laugh  at,  suppose  you  set  your  muse  to  work  upon  your  tatterde- 
malian  dishabille.  The  former  neatness  of  your  garb,  contrasted  with  its  pre- 
sent squalidness,  would  make  a  capital  subject  for  a  song,  not  forgetting  the 
causes.  But  you  are  in  the  dross  of  the  people  you  live  among:  you  are 
therefore  in  character.  B.  had  a  hat  on  when  I  was  up  in  your  quarter,  the 
rim  of  which  had  been  eaten  oflF,  close  to  his  head,  by  the  rats,  or,  perhaps,  cut 
off  to  make  soles  to  his  shoes ;  yet  it  was  so  common  as  to  escape  observation. 
I  saw  another  fellow,  too,  at  the  tavern,  who  had  pieces  cut  out  of  his  behind, 
like  a  swallow's  tail." 

The  spring  of  the  year  1805  gave  to  the  enraptured  view  of  our  naturalist 
his  interesting  feathered  acquaintance.  He  listened  to  their  artless  songs ;  ho 
noticed  their  habitudes;  he  sketched  their  portraits.  And,  after  having 
passed  a  few  months  varied  with  this  charming  occupation,  he  again  writes  to 
the  respected  inhabitant  of  the  Botanic  Garden  : 

Union  School,  July  2d,  1805. 

"  I  dare  say  you  will  smile  at  my  presumption,  when  I  tell  you  that  I  have 
seriously  begun  to  make  a  collection  of  drawings  of  the  birds  to  be  found  in 
Pennsylvania,  or  that  occasionally  pa.ss  through  it:  twenty-eight,  as  a  begin- 
ning, I  send  for  your  opinion.  They  are,  I  hope,  inferior  U}  what  I  phall  pro- 
duce, though  as  close  copies  of  the  originals  as  I  could  make.  One  or  two  of 
these  I  cannot  find  either  in  your  nomenclature,  or  among  the  seven  volumes 
of  Edwards.  I  have  never  been  ;ible  to  find  the  bird  Mr.  Jefferson  speaks  of, 
and  begin  to  think  that  it  must  be  the  Wood  Robin,  though  it  seems  strange 
that  he  should  represent  it  as  so  hard  to  bo  seen.  Any  hint  for  promoting  my 
plan,  or  enabling  me  to  execute  better,  I  will  receive  from  you  with  much 
pleasure.  I  have  resigned  every  other  aniu.sement,  except  reading  and  fiddling, 
for  this  design,  which  I  shall  not  give  up  without  nmking  a  fair  trial. 

"  Criticise  these,  my  dear  friend,  without  fear  of  offendiiig  me — this  will 
instruct,  but  not  discourage  mo. — For  there  is  not  among  all  our  naturalists 
one  who  knows  so  well  what  they  are,  and  how  they  ought  to  be  represented. 
In  the  meantime  accept  of  my  best  wishes  for  your  ha])piticss — wishes  as  sin- 
cere as  ever  one  human  being  breathed  for  another.     To  your  advice  and 


*Tlii9  poem,  M  published  in  the  "  Port  Folio,"  contain!  two  thousand  two  hundrc<Iand 
elKhtcon  lines.  It  is  illustrated  with  lour  plate<,  two  of  which  were  engraved  b^  George 
Cooke  of  LoiKlon.  ,    i  .• 

♦  for  April  aTlh,  1805. 


LIFE    0?    WILSON. 


xliii 


encouraging  encomiums  I  am  indebted  for  these  few  specimens,  and  for  all  that 
will  follow.  They  may  ytt  lell posterity  that  I  was  honored  with  your  friend- 
ship, and  that  to  your  inspiration  they  oxoe  their  existence." 

The  plates  illustrative  of  the  natural  history  of  Edwards  were  etched  by  the 
author  himself.  Wilson  had  examined  them  very  attentively,  and  felt  assured 
that,  with  a  little  instruction  in  the  art  of  etching,  he  could  produce^  more 
accurate  delineations ;  and  would  be  enabled,  by  his  superior  knowledge  of 
coloring,  to  finish  tiie  figures  for  his  contcuiplutcd  work,  in  a  style  not  inferior 
to  h^9  spirited  and  beautiful  drawings  from  nature. 

Mr.  Lawson  was  of  course  consulted  on  this  occasion,  and  cheerfully  con- 
tributed his  advice  and  assistance  in  the  novel  and  difficult  enterprise. 
Wilson  procured  the  copper;  and,  the  former  having  laid  the  varnLsh,  and 
furnished  the  necessary  tools,  he  eagerly  commenced  the  important  operation, 
on  the  successful  termination  of  which  his  happiness  seemed  to  depend. 

Let  the  reader  pause  and  reflect  on  the  extravagance  of  that  enthusiasm, 
which  could  lead  a  person  to  imagine,  that,  without  any  knowledge  of  an  art 
derived  from  experience,  he  could  at  once  produce  that  efi"ect,  which  is  the 
result  only  of  years  of  trial  and  diligence. 

The  next  day  after  Wilson  had  parted  from  his  preceptor,  the  latter,  to  use 
his  own  words,  was  surprised  to  behold  him  hounrimj  into  his  room,  crying 
out — "  /  have  finished  my  plate  !  let  us  lite  it  in  with  the  aquafortis  at  once,  for 
I  must  have  u  proof  before  I  leave  town!"*  Lawson  burst  into  laughter  at 
the  ludicrous  appearance  of  his  friend,  aniuitited  with  impetuous  zeal;  and  to 
humor  him  granted  his  request.  A  proof  was  taken,  but  fell  far  short  of 
Wilson's  expectations,  or  of  his  ideas  of  correctness.  However,  he  lost  no 
time  in  conferring  with  Mr.  Bartram,  to  whom  he  wrote  as  follows : 


"  November  29th,  1805. 

"  I  have  been  amusing  myself  this  some  time  in  attempting  to  etch;  and 
now  send  you  a  proof  sheet  of  my  first  perfornianco  in  this  way.  Be  so  good 
as  communicate  to  me  your  own  corrections,  and  those  of  your  young  friend 
and  pupil.  I  will  receive  them  as  a  very  kind  and  particular  favor.  The 
drawings  which  I  also  send,  that  you  may  compare  them  together,  were  done 
from  birds  in  full  plumage,  and  in  the  best  order.  My  next  attempt  in  etching 
will  perhaps  be  better,  everything  being  new  to  me  in  this.  I  will  send  you 
the  first  impression  I  receive  after  I  fini.sh  the  plate." 

In  a  short  time  another  plate  was  prepared  and  completed  with  the  despatch 
of  the  former.  In  fulfilment  of  his  promise  to  his  friend,  he  transmits  a 
proof,  accompanied  with  the  following  note  : 


*  For  the  information  of  those  of  our  readen  who  are  unacquainted  with  the  proce8S 
of  ctchiiiK,  wo  subjoin  the  following  explanatory  note  : — 

Upon  the  pulitihcd  copper  plate,  a  coat  of  varnish,  of  a  particular  composition,  is  thinly 
spread.  The  design  h  then  traced,  and  cut  through  to  the  copper,  with  an  instrument 
termed  a  point.  A  hank  of  wax  is  now  raisc<l  around  the  plutc,  and  aqunfurtis  poured 
into  the  enclosure,  which  acid  cats  into  the  copper  only  where  the  point  had  passed.  The 
length  of  time  requisite  for  the  successful  action  of  the  aquafortis,  must  be  determined  by 
the  judgment  of  the  operator. 


'Tl 


'<  f 


xliv 


LIFE   OF   WILSON. 


\,. ; 


\- 


"  Mr.  Wilson's  affectionate  compliments  to  Mr.  Bartram ;  and  sends  for  his 
amusement  and  correction  another"  proof  of  his  Birds  of  the  United  States. 
The  colorin"  being  chiefly  done  last  night,  must  soften  criticism  a  little.  Will 
be  thankful  for  my  friend's  advice  and  correction. 

"  Mr.  Wilson  wishes  his  beloved  friend  a  happy  new  year,  and  every 
blessing." 

"  Saturday,  January  4th,  1806." 

These  essays  in  etching,*  though  creditable  to  Wilson's  ingenuity  and  per- 
severance, yet  by  uo  means  afforded  satisfaction.  lie  became  now  convinced 
that  the jwint  alone  was  not  sufficient  to  produce  the  intended  effect;  and  that 
nothing  short  of  the  accuracy  of  the  i/raver  would  in  anywise  correspond  to 
his  ideas  of  excellence.  But  in  the  art  of  engraving  he  had  never  been  in- 
structed ;  and  he  could  not  command  means  sufficient  to  cover  the  expense  of 
the  plates  even  of  a  single  volume,  on  the  magnificent  plan  which  his  compre- 
hensive mind  had  delineated.  A  proposition  was  now  made  to  Mr.  Lawson  to 
engage  in  the  work,  on  a  joint  concern.  But  there  were  several  objections 
which  this  gentleman  urged,  sufficiently  weighty,  in  his  opinion,  to  warrant 
his  non-acceptance  of  the  offer.  Wilson,  finding  his  schemes  thus  baffled, 
declared,  with  solemn  emphasis,  his  resolution  of  proceeding  alone  in  the 
publication,  if  it  should  even  cost  him  his  life.  "/  shall  at  least  leave" 
continued  he,  "  «  small  beacon  to  point  out  where  I  perished." 

To  Mr.  Wm.  Bautbam. 

"January  27th,  1806. 
"  Being  in  town  on  Saturday,  I  took  the  opportunity  of  calling  on   Mr. 
— ,  who,  in  1804,  went  down  the  Ohio,  with  one  companion,  in  a  small 


battcau.  They  sometimes  proceeded  seventy  miles  in  twenty-four  hours,  going 
often  night  and  day.  They  had  an  awning;  and  generally  slept  on  board  the 
boat,  without  ever  catching  cold,  or  any  inconvenience  by  musquitoes,  except 
when  in  the  neighborhood  of  swamps.  He  describes  the  country  a.4  exceed- 
ingly beautiful.  The  object  of  their  journey  being  trade,  they  had  neither 
gun  nor  fishing-tackle;  pnd  paid  little  or  no  at(entioa  to  natural  objecta.  lie 
says  the  navigation  of  a  battcau  is  perfectly  easy,  and  attended  with  no  hazard 
whatever.  One  solitary  adventurer  passed  them  in  a  small  boat,  going  from 
Wheeling  to  New  Orleans. 

"  If,  my  dear  friend,  we  should  be  so  happy  as  to  go  together,  what  would 
you  think  of  laying  our  design  before  Mr  Jefferson,  with  a  view  to  procure 
his  advice,  and  recommendation  to  influential  characters  in  the  route  ?  Could 
we  procure  his  approbation  and  patronage,  they  would  secure  our  success. 
Perhaps  he  might  suggest  some  improvements  in  our  plan.  Had  we  a  good 
companion,  intimately  acquainted  with  mineralogy,  who  would  submit  to  our 
economical  plan  of  proceeding,  it  would  certainly  enhance  the  value  of  the 
expedition.     However,  this  I  have  no  hopes  of. 


*  The  two  first  plates  of  the  Ornithology  are  thoitc  which  the  author  ctrhcd  himielf. 
The  writer  of  this  kkctch  hns  in  his  possiessiun  a  proof  of  the  first  one,  which  he  preserrot 
as  a  relic  of  no  small  vnluc.     It  ii*  inscrilNiU  with  the  author's  name. 


t       ( 


LIFE    OF    WILSON. 


xlv 


"  I  see,  by  the  newspapers,  that  Mr.  Jefferson  designs  to  employ  persons  to 
explore  the  shores  of  the  Mississippi  the  ensuing  summer:  surely  our  exer- 
tions would  promote  his  wishes.  I  write  these  particulars  that  you  may  give 
them  the  consideration  they  deserve;  and  we  call  upon  you  to  deliberate 
further  on  the  affair. 

To  THE  Same. 

"  February  3d,  1806. 
"  The  enclosed  sketch  of  a  letter  is  submitted  for  your  opinion,  and,  if 
approved,  I  must  request  of  you  the  favor  to  enclose  it  in  one  of  your  own  to 
Mr.  Jefferson.  You  see  I  am  serious  in  my  design  of  traversing  our  southern 
wildernesses.  Disappointed  in  your  company,  I  have  no  hopes  in  another's 
that  would  add  any  value  to  the  Ohio  tjur.  I  am  therefore  driven  to  this 
expedient,  and  I  hope  it  will  succeed.  Please  to  let  me  hear  your  sentiments 
on  this  affair  to-morrow  morning;  and  oblige  yours,  &o." 

To  THE  Same. 

"February  5th,  1806. 
"  I  am  infinitely  obliged  to  you,  my  dear  friend,  for  your  favorable  opinion 
of  me,  transmitted  to  the  president.  Should  an  engagement  be  the  conse- 
quence, I  will  merit  the  character  which  you  have  given  of  me,  or  perish  in 
the  endeavor  to  deserve  it.  Accept  my  assurances  of  perpetual  affection  and 
esteem. 

"  The  letters  go  off  to-morrow." 

It  will  be  perceived,  by  the  foregoing  letters,  that  the  President  of  the 
United  States  had  it  in  contemplation  to  dospatca  men  of  science,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  exploring  the  country  of  the  Mississippi.  Wilson  now  conceived  ihat 
a  favorable  opportunity  would  be  afforded  him  of  gratifying  a  desire,  which  he 
hud  long  indulged,  of  visiting  those  regions,  which  he  was  convinced  were  rich 
in  the  various  objects  of  science;  and,  particularly,  where  subjects,  new  and 
interesting",  might  be  collected  for  his  embryo  work  on  the  ornithology  of  our 
country.  lie  expressed  his  wishes  to  Mr.  Bartram,  who  approved  of  them; 
and  the  latter  cheerfully  wrote  to  his  correspondent,  Mr.  Jefferson,  stating 
Wilson's  character  and  acquirements;  and  rocommendiug  him  as  one  highly 
qualified  to  bo  employed  in  that  important  national  enlerprise.  Tiiis  intro- 
ductory letter,  indited  in  the  most  respectful  terms,  was  accompanied  with  an 
application  from  Wilson  himself,  which,  as  a  faithful  biographer  of  my  friend, 
I  hero  think  proper  to  insert  entire  :  » 


To  HIS  Excellency  Thomas  Jkfferson, 

President  of  the  United  States. 
"  Sir  : 

"  Having  boon  engaged,  t.ese  several  years,  in  collecting  materials,  and 
furnishing  drawings  from  nature,  with  the  design  of  publishing  a  new  Orni- 
thology of  the  United  States  of  America,  so  deficient  in  the  works  of  Catesby, 
Edwards,  and  other  Europeans,  I  have  traversed  the  greater  part  of  our 
northern  and  eastern  districts ;  and  have  collected  many  birds  undescribed  by 


xlvi 


LIFE    OF    WILSON. 


these  naturaliste.  Upwards  of  jne  hundred  drawings  uro  completed;  and  two 
plutos  in  folio  already  engraved.  But  as  many  beautiful  tribes  frequent  the 
Ohio,  and  the  extensive  country  through  which  it  passes,  that  probably  never 
visit  the  Atlantic  states;  and  as  faithful  representations  of  these  can  be  taken  only 
from  liviiig  Nature,  or  from  birds  newly  killed;  I  had  planned  an  exped-tion 
down  thai  river,  from  Pittsburgh  to  the  Mississippi,  thence  to  New  Orleans, 
and  to  continue  my  lesearches  by  land  in  return  to  Philadelphia.  I  had 
engaged  as  a  companion  and  assistant  Mr.  William  Bartram,  of  this  place 
whoso  knowledge  of  Botany,  as  well  as  Zoology,  would  have  enabled  me  to 
make  the  best  of  the  voyage,  and  to  collect  many  new  specimens  in  both  those 
departments.  Sketches  of  these  wore  to  have  been  taken  on  the  spot;  and 
the  subjects  put  in  a  state  of  preservation  to  finish  our  drawings  from,  as 
time  would  permit.  We  intended  to  set  out  from  Pittsburgh  about  the  begin- 
ning of  May ;  and  expected  to  reach  New  Orleans  in  September. 

"  But  my  veiHTable  friend,  Mr.  Bnrfram,  taking  into  more  serious  considera- 
tion his  advanced  age,  being  near  seventy,  and  the  weakness  of  his  eye-sight; 
and  apprehensive  of  his  inability  to  encounter  the  fatigues  and  deprivations 
unavoidable  in  so  extensive  a  tour;  having,  to  my  extreme  regret,  and  the 
real  lo.ss  of  science,  been  induced  to  decline  the  journey ;  I  had  reluctantly 
abandoned  the  enterprise,  and  all  hopes  of  accomplishing  my  purpose;  till 
hearing  that  your  excellency  had  it  in  contemplation  to  send  travellers  this 
ensuing  sunmier  up  the  Red  River,  the  .\rkansas.  and  other  tributary  streams 
of  the  Mi.xsissippi ;  and  believing  that  my  services  might  bo  of  advantage  to 
some  of  those  parties  in  pmmoting  your  excellency's  design;  while  the  best 
opportunities  would  be  afforded  uie  of  procuring  subjects  for  the  work  which 
I  have  so  much  at  heart;  under  these  impressions  I  beg  leave  tti  offer  myself 
for  any  of  tho.ie  expeditions ;  and  can  be  ready  at  a  short  notice  to  attend 
your  excellency's  orders. 

"  Accustomed  to  the  hardships  of  travelling,  without  a  family,  and  an  en- 
thu.siast  in  the  pursuit  of  Natural  History,  I  will  devote  my  whole  powers  to 
merit  your  excellency's  approbation  ;  and  ardently  wish  for  an  opportunity  of 
testifying  the  sincerity  of  my  professions,  and  the  deep  veneration  with  which 
I  have  the  honor  to  be, 

"Sir, 

"  Your  obedient  servant, 

"  Alex.  Wilson.* 
"  KiNosiss,  February  6th,  1806." 

.Mr.  Jefferion  had  in  his  port  folio  decisive  proofiM)f  Wilson's  talents  as  an 
ornithologist,  the  latter  having  some  time  before,  as  the  reader  will  have  ob- 
served, tran-iiiiittod  to  his  excellency  some  elegant  drawings  of  birds,  accom- 
panied with  (li.stTi[itions.  Vet,  with  these  evidences  before  him,  backed  with 
the  recommeiiiiution  of  a  discerning  and  experienced  naturaliAt,  Mr.  Jefferson 

*  Wilson  wa't  particularly  anxiuug  to  accompany  Pike,  who  commenced  big  journey 
from  the  cantuiinient  on  the  Missouri,  Tor  the  suurcev  of  the  Arkanxat,  Ac,  on  the  1 5th 
July,  1806. 


^"^tmsmammismm 


LIFE    OF    WILSON, 


xlvii 


waa  either  so  scandalized  at  the  infurnial  application  of  our  ornithologist,  or 
BO  occupied  in  the  great  concerns  of  his  exulted  station,  that  no  answer  was 
returned  to  the  overture ;  and  the  cause  of  the  supposed  contemptuous  ne- 
glect, neither  Wilson  nor  Bartrani  could  ever  ascertain. 

Whatever  might  have  been  the  views  of  the  president,  who  unquestionably 
bore  an  effective  part  in  scheming  and  encouraging  the  expeditions  commanded 
by  Lewis  and  Clark,  and  Pike,  there  can  be  but  one  opinion  on  the  insuffi- 
ciency of  that  plan  of  discovery  which  does  not  embrace  the  co-operation  of 
men  of  letters  and  science :  those  whose  knowledge  will  teach  them  to  select 
whiit  is  valuable,  and  whose  learning  will  enable  them  to  digest  it  for  the 
advantage  of  others.  We  would  not  draw  an  invidious  comparison  between 
the  expeditions  above-mentioned,  and  those  under  the  command  of  Major 
Long;  but  we  will  rest  in  the  hope  that,  as  the  government  note  appears  to 
be  sensible  of  the  beneficial  effects  resulting  from  a  liberal  and  enlightened 
policy,  it  will  continue  to  foster  that  spirit  of  enterprise  which  distinguishes 
some  of  our  citizens;  and  which,  if  properly  directed,  will  redound  to  the 
honor  and  glory  of  our  country. 


To  Mr.  William  Duncan. 

"  Okay's  Fkrrt,  February  26th,  1806. 

"  Notwithstanding  the  great  esteem  I  have  for  your  judgment,  in  prefer- 
ence, many  times,  to  my  own,  yet  I  believe  we  are  both  wrong  in  the  proposed 
affair  of  Saturday  week.  I  have  not  the  smallest  ambition  of  being  considered 
an  orator ;  and  would  it  not,  by  some,  be  construed  into  vanity,  or  something 
worse,  for  mo  to  go  all  the  way  from  this  place  to  deliver  a  political  lecture 
at  Milcstown?  Politics  has  begot  me  so  many  enemies,  both  in  the  old  and 
new  world,  and  has  done  me  so  little  good,  that  I  begin  to  think  the  less 
you  and  I  harangue  on  that  subject  the  butter.  I  do  not  say  this  from  any 
doubt  I  have  of  being  able  to  say  something  on  the  subject,  but  much  question 
the  policy  and  prudence  of  it.  If  you  and  I  attend  punctually  to  the  duties 
of  our  profession,  and  make  our  business  our  pleasure;  and  the  improvement, 
of  our  pupils,  with  their  good  povcrunient,  our  chief  ain»;  honor,  and  re- 
spectability, and  success  will  assuredly  attend  us,  even  if  we  never  open  our 
lips  on  politics. 

"  These  have  been  some  of  my  reflections  since  we  parted.  I  hope  you 
will  weigh  them  in  your  own  mind,  and  acquiesce  in  my  resolution  of  not  inter- 
fering in  the  debate  on  Saturday,  as  we  talked  of.  At  the  same  time  I  am 
rt'iiily  pleased  to  see  the  improvement  the  practice  has  produced  in  you ;  and 
would  by  no  means  wish  to  dissuode  you  from  amusing  and  exercising  your 
mind  in  this  manner;  because  I  know  that  your  moderation  in  sentiment  and 
conduct  will  always  preserve  you  from  ill  will  on  any  of  these  scores.  But 
as  it  could  add  nothing  to  my  fame,  and  as  they  have  nil  heard  nio,  often 
enough,  on  different  subjects,  about  Milestown  ;  and  as  it  would  raise  no  new 
friends  to  you,  but  might  open  old  sores  in  some  of  your  present  fi lends,  I 
hope  you  will  agree  with  me  that  it  will  bo  prudent  to  decline  the  affair. 
And  as  you  have  never  heard  me  deliver  any  of  my  own  compositions  in  this 


p 

If 

'8n 

1 

)1 

1 

;    1  j*r, 

lii 

^1 


zlviii 


LIFE  OF   WILSON. 


way,  I  will  commit  a  speech  to  memory  which  I  delivered  at  Milcstown,  in  the 
winter  of  iSoO,  and  pronounce  it  to  you  when  we  are  by  ourselves  in  the 
woods,  where  tee  can  offend  nobody. 

"I  have  hoard  nothing  from  Washington  yot;  and  I  begin  to  think  that 
either  3Ir.  Jefferson  expects  a  brush  with  the  Spaniards,  or  has  not  received 
our  letters;  otherwise  he  would  never  act  so  inijxtli'teli/  to  one  for  whom  he 
has  so  much  esteem  as  for  Mr.  Bartram.  No  hnvri/ofbminef  could  excuse  it. 
But  if  affairs  are  not  likely  to  bo  settled  with  Spain,  very  probably  the  design 
of  tending  parties  through  Louisiana  will  bo  suspended.  Indeed  I  begin  to 
think  that  if  I  should  not  bo  engaged  by  Mr.  Jefferson,  a  journey  by  myself, 
and  at  my  own  expense,  at  a  time,  toti,  when  wo  are  just  getting  our  heads 
above  water,  as  one  may  say,  would  not  be  altogether  good  policy.  Perhaps  in 
another  year  we  might  be  able,  without  so  much  injury,  to  make  a  tour 
together,  through  part  of  the  south-west  countries,  which  would  double  all  the 
pleasures  of  the  journey  to  me.  I  will  proceed  in  the  affair  as  you  may 
think  best,  notwithstanding  my  eager  wishes,  and  the  diaagrceablencss  of  my 
present  situation.  I  write  this  letter  in  the  school-house — past  ten  at  night — 
L.'s  folks  all  gone  to  roost — the  flying  squirrels  rattling  in  the  loft  above 
me,  and  the  cats  squalliig  in  the  cellar  below.  Wishing  you  a  continuation 
of  that  success  in  teaching,  which  has  already  done  you  so  much  credit,  I 
bid  you  for  the  present  good-night." 

We  now  approach  that  era  of  Wilson's  life,  in  which  Vo  behold  him 
emerging  from  the  vale  of  obscurity,  and  attaining  that  enviable  distinction, 
in  the  republic  of  science  and  letters,  which  it  is  the  lot  of  but  few  to  ctijoy. 

Mr.  Samuel  F.  Bradford,  bookseller,  of  Philadelphia,  being  about  to  pub- 
lish an  edition  of  Recs's  New  Cyclopaodia,  Wil  jn  was  introduced  to  him  as 
one  (lualifled  to  superintend  the  work ;  and  was  engaged,  at  a  liberal  salary, 
as  assistant  editor.  The  articles  of  agreement  are  dated  the  20th  of  April, 
1806. 

To  Mb.  W.M.  Bartram. 

"PniLADiLPniA,  April  22(1,  1806. 
"  My  Dear  Friend. 

"  I  take  the  liberty  of  informing  you  that  having  been  importuned  to  en- 
gage as  assistant  editor  of  that  comprehensive  and  voluminous  work,  Uees's 
New  Cyclopaedia,  now  publishing  here,  and  a  generous  salary  offered  me,  I 
have  now  accepted  of  the  same,  and  will  commence  my  new  avocation  on 
Monday  next. 

"  This  engagement  will,  I  hope,  enable  me,  in  more  ways  than  one,  to  pro- 
ceed in  my  intended  Ornithology,  to  which  all  my  leisure  momcnty  wil'.  be  de- 
voted. In  the  meantime  I  anticipate,  with  diffidence,  the  laborious,  and  very 
responsible,  situation  I  am  soon  to  be  placed  in,  requiring  a  nuich  more  general 
fund  of  scientific  knowledge,  and  stronger  powers  of  mind,  than  I  am  pos- 
sessed of;  but  all  these  objections  have  been  overruled,  and  I  am  engaged,  in 
conjunction  with  Mr.  S.  F.  Bradford,  to  conduct  the  publication.  In  this 
pursuit  I  will  often  solicit  your  advice,  and  be  happy  to  communicate  your  ob- 


^ 


LFFE    OF    WILSON. 


xlix 


gorvations  to  posterity.  Shut  up  from  the  nwcet  sccncH  of  rural  nature,  so 
donr  to  my  soul,  conooivo  to  yourself  the  pleasures  I  shall  enjoy  in  sumetiuies 
payinp  a  visit  to  your  charming  Retreat,  and  you  cannot  doubt  of  frequently 
seeing  your  very  sincere  friend." 

Not  long  after  his  engagement,  he  unfolded  his  mind  to  Mr.  Bradford  on 
the  subject  of  his  projected  Ornithology;  and  exhibited  such  evidence  of  h'\n 
talents  for  a  work  of  that  nature,  that  the  latter  promptly  agreed  to  become 
the  publisher  of  it,  and  to  furnish  the  requisite  funds;  and  now,  for  the  first 
time,  Wilson  found  those  obstructions  removed,  which  hod  opposed  hi" 
favorite  enterprise. 

To  Mb.  Wilson,  at  the  Falls  of  Niagara. 

"  PuiLADELPHiA,  July  8th,  1800. 
"  Dear  Sir. 

"  This  will  bo  handed  to  you  by  Mr.  Miohaux,  a  gentleman  of  an  amiable 
character,  and  a  distinguished  naturalist,  who  is  pursuing  his  botanical  re- 
searches through  North  America,  and  intends  visiting  the  Cataract  of  Niagara. 
The  kindness  I  received  from  your  family  in  1801  makes  me  desirous  that  my 
friend,  Mr.  Michaux,  should  reside  with  you  during  his  stay  at  Niagara;  and 
any  attention  paid  to  him  will  be  considered  as  done  to  myself,  and  suitable 
acknowlcdgmcnta  made  in  person  by  me  on  my  arrival  at  Niagara,  which  I 
expect  will  bo  early  next  spring. 

"  You  Till  be  so  good  as  give  Mr.  Michaux  information  respecting  the  lato 
rupture  of  the  rock  at  the  Falls,  of  the  burning  spring  above,  and  point  out 
to  him  the  place  of  descent  to  the  rapids  below,  with  any  other  information 
respecting  the  wonderful  scenery  around  you. 

"  In  the  short  stay  I  made,  and  the  unfavorable  weather  I  experienced,  I 
was  prevented  from  finishing  my  intended  sketch  equal  to  my  wishes ;  but  I 
design  to  spend  several  weeks  with  you,  and  not  only  take  correct  drawingH, 
but  porticular  descriptions  of  everything  relating  to  that  stupendous  Cataract, 
and  to  publi.sh  a  more  complete  and  satislactory  account,  and  a  better  repre- 
sentation of  it,  than  has  been  yet  done  in  the  T'nited  States.* 

"  I  had  a  rough  journey  homo  through  the  Genesee  country,  which  waa 
covered  with  snow  to  the  depth  of  fifleen  inches,  and  continued  so  all  the  way 
(<>  Albany  If  you  kimw  of  any  gentlemen  in  your  neighborhood  acquainted 
with  botany,  bo  so  good  as  introduce  Mr.  Michaux  to  them." 

To  Mb.  Wm.  Duncan. 

"  Pnii.ADBi.rniA,  April  8th,  1807. 
"  Enclosed  is  a  pn'^fulioct  of  our  prospectus;  as  soon  as  the  impressions  arc 
thrown  off  on  fine  paper,  I  will  transmit  one  for  Mr.  L.     This  aflernoon  Mr. 


*Wiliion'i  Rubiieqnent  en(;AKement8  prevented  his  return  to  'he  Falls,  in  conforniit} 
with  his  wishes  ;  but  his  sketrhes  wore  completed  by  an  artist,  engraved  by  Oeorgo  Cooke 
of  I.A)ndon,  and  illustrate  his  poem  of  the  "  Fiircstcrs,"  which  was  published  in  the  Port 
Folio.  These  woll-engraved  views,  which  are  two  in  number,  convey  a  good  idea  of  the 
famous  Cataract ;  the  "  Great  Pitch,"  in  particular,  it  admirably  represented. 

Voi«  I.— D 


1 


LIFE    OF    WILSON. 


LawRon  is  to  have  one  of  tho  platos  completely  finiNhcd ;  and  I  am  going  to 
set  tho  coppcr-plutc  printer  nt  work  to  print  each  bird  in  its  natural  colors, 
which  will  bo  a  great  ndvimtiigo  in  coloring,  as  tho  Mack  ink  will  not  then  stain 
the  fine  tinta.  We  hmm  tn  bind  in  tho  pronj^ictus  at  the  end  of  tho  next 
half  volume,  for  which  purpose  twciity-fivo  hundred  copies  are  to  bo  thrown 
off;  and  an  agent  will  bo  appointed  in  every  town  in  the  Union.  Tho  pros- 
pectus will  also  be  printed  in  all  the  newspapers;  and  everything  done  to  pro- 
mote  the  undertaking. 

"  I  hope  you  have  made  a  beginning,  and  have  already  a  collection  of  heads, 
bills  and  claws,  delineated.  If  this  work  should  go  on,  it  will  bo  a  five  years' 
affair;  and  may  open  tho  way  to  something  more  extensive;  for  which  reason 
I  am  anxious  to  have  you  with  me  to  share  the  harvest. 

•'  I  stjirfed  this  morning,  by  peep  of  day,  witili  my  gun,  for  tho  purpose  of 
shooting  a  nuthatch.  After  jumping  a  hundred  fences,  and  getting  over  the 
ankles  in  mud  (for  I  had  put  (m  my  shoes  for  lightness),  I  found  myself  almost 
at  the  junction  of  the  Schuylkill  and  Delaware,  without  success,  there  being 
hardly  half  an  acre  of  woodland  in  the  whole  Neck;  and  tho  nuthatch  gene- 
rally frequents  large-timbered  woods.  I  returned  homo  at  eight  o'clock,  after 
getting  completely  wet,  and  in  a  profuse  perspiration,  which,  contrary  to  tho 
maxims  of  tho  doet<trs,  has  done  me  a  great  deal  of  good ;  and  I  intend  to 
repeat  the  dose  ;  except  that  I  shall  leave  out  the  ingredient  of  tho  wet  feet, 
if  otherwise  convenient.  Were  I  to  prescribe  such  a  remedy  to  Lawson,  he 
would  be  ready  to  think  mo  mad.  Moderate,  nay  even  pretty  severe  exercise, 
is  tho  best  medicine  in  the  world  for  sedentary  people,  and  ought  not  to  be 
neglected  on  any  account." 

To  Mil.  W.M.  Bartram. 

"  PiitLADELPBiA  April  29th,  1S07. 
"  My  Dwir  Sir. 

"The  receipt  of  yours  of  the  11th  iiist.,  in  which  you  approve  of  my  in- 
tended publication  of  American  Ornithology,  gave  mo  much  satisfaction ;  and 
your  promise  of  befriending  me  in  the  arduous  attempt  commands  my  un- 
feigned gratitude.  From  the  opportunities  I  have  bitely  had  of  examining 
into  the  works  of  Americans  wlio  have  treated  of  this  part  of  our  natural  his- 
tory, I  am  satisfied  that  none  of  them  have  bestowed  such  minute  attention 
on  the  subject  as  you  yourself  have  done.  Indeed  they  have  done  little  more 
than  copied  your  nomenclature  and  observations,  and  referred  to  your  authority. 
To  have  you,  therefore,  to  consult  with  in  tho  course  of  this  g.eat  publication 
I  consider  a  most  happy  and  oven  auspicious  circumstance ;  and  I  hope  ytiu 
will,  on  all  occasions,  be  a  rigid  censor,  and  kind  monitor,  whenever  you  find 
me  deviating  from  the  beauties  of  nature,  or  the  truth  of  description. 

"  The  more  I  read  and  refloct  upon  tho  subject,  the  more  dissatisfied  I  am 
with  the  i>2^ec>jlc  names  which  have  been  used  by  almost  every  writer.  A  name 
should,  if  possible,  bo  expressive  of  sonic  peculiarity  in  color,  conformation,  or 
habit;  if  it  will  equally  apply  to  two  different  species,  it  is  certainly  an  im- 
, proper  one.  Is  mi(/rutoriu»  an  epithet  peculiarly  applicable  to  the  robin  ? 
Is  it  not  equally  so  to  almost  every  species  of  tunfus  we  have  ?     Europea  ha« 


LIFE    OF    WILSON. 


U 


been  nppliod  by  Ponnnnt  to  our  Inrf^o  »iUii  or  nuthatch,  which  is  cartdiiily  a 
(liffiTcnt  species  fmiii  tho  Kuropenn,  tliu  iiittor  boiiig  dontitute  of  the  black 
head,  neck  and  nliouldorR  of  nun*.  Lutlmm  calls  it  caroliuen$i'n,  but  it  is  as 
much  an  inhabitant  of  PennHylvania  and  Now  York  us  Carolina.  The  small 
rod-bolliod  tilfu  is  called  caniulen»i»  by  Latham,  a  name  equally  objoclionable 
with  the  other.  Turdus  minor  secnm  uIho  improper;  in  short  I  coii'iider  this 
part  of  the  btwincsH  as  peculiarly  perplexing;  and  I  beg  to  have  your  opinion 
on  the  matter,  particularly  with  respect  to  the  birds  I  have  montiddcd, 
whether  I  shall  hazard  a  new  nonumclature,  or,  by  copying,  sanction  what  I  do 
not  approve  of. 

"  I  hope  you  arc  in  good  health,  enjoying  in  your  little  paradise  the  advances 
of  spring,  shedding  leaves,  buds  and  blosHoius,  around  hor;  and  bringing  in 
her  train  choirs  of  the  Hweetest  songsters  that  earth  can  boast  of;  while  every 
zephyr  that  plays  around  you  breathes  fragrance.  Ah !  how  different  my 
situation  in  this  delightful  season,  iniiiiure<l  among  musty  books,  and  com- 
pelled to  forego  the  harmony  of  the  woods  for  the  everlasting  din  of  the  city; 
the  very  face  of  the  blessed  hcovens  involved  in  soot,  and  interrupted  by 
walls  and  chimney  tops.  But  if  I  don't  launch  out  into  the  fields  and  woods 
oftencr  than  I  have  done  these  twelve  months,  may  I  bo  transformed  into  a 
street  musician."     (The  remainder  of  the  MS.  defaced.) 


All  things  being  happily  arranged,  Wilson  applied  himself  to  his  varied  ond 
extensive  duties  with  a  diliirence  which  scarcely  admitted  repose;  until  finding 
his  health  much  impaired  thereby,  he  was  induced  to  seek  the  benefits  of 
relaxation,  in  a  pedestrian  journey  through  a  part  of  Pennsylvania;  which 
afforded  him  a  favorable  opportunity  of  procuring  specimens  of  birds;  and 
some  additional  information  relating  to  them,  of  which  he  was  very  desirous 
to  be  possessed.  This  excur.-tion  was  made  in  the  month  of  August,  1807; 
and  on  his  return  he  engaged  in  his  avocations  with  renewed  ardor;  devoting 
every  moment  which  could  be  spared  from  his  editorial  duties  to  his  great 
work. 

At  length,  in  the  month  of  September,  1808,  the  first  volume  of  the 
'^  Amfrirnn  Oniitholo;/!/"  made  ita  appearance.  From  the  date  of  the  arrange- 
ment with  the  publisher,  a  prospectus  had  been  issued,  wherein  the  nature  and 
intended  execution  of  the  work  were  specified;  but  yet  no  one  appeared  to 
enterUiin  an  ade<|uate  idea  of  the  elegant  treat  which  was  about  to  be  afforded 
to  the  lovers  of  the  arta,  and  of  useful  literature.  And  when  the  volume  waa 
presented  to  the  public,  their  delight  was  only  equalled  by  their  astonishment, 
that  our  country,  as  yet  in  its  infancy,  should  produce  an  original  work  in 
science,  that  could  vie,  in  its  essentials,  with  the  proudest  productions  of  a 
similar  nature  of  the  European  world. 

To  Mr.  Wm.  Bartram.  ^ 

"  Piiii.ADELi'iiiA,  September  21st,  1^08. 
"  In  a  few  minutes  I  set  out  for  the  Eastern  States,  through  Boston  to 
Maine,  and  back  through  the  state  of  Vermont,  in  search  of  birds  and  ijxib- 
Bcribers,     I  regret  that  I  have  not  been  able  to  spend  an  evening  with  you 


lii 


LIFE    OF    WILSON. 


I     .  f 


before  my  departure.  But  I  sliul  huvc  a  better  stoek  of  adventures  to  relate 
after  my  return. 

"  I  send  a  copy  of  the  prospectus,  and  my  best  wishes  for  the  happiness 
of  the  whok)  family.  I  leave  my  horse  behind,  and  ;;o  by  tho  stage  coach,  as 
beinf;  tho  least  troublesome.  I  hope  to  make  some  discoveries  in  my  tour,  tho 
least  agreeable  of  which  will,  I  fear,  be — that  I  have  bestowed  a  great  deal  of 
labor  and  expense  to  little  purpose.  But  all  these  things  will  not  prevent  me 
from  enjoying,  as  I  pa.ss  along,  the  glorious  face  of  Nature,  aud  her  admirable 
productions,  while  I  have  eyes  to  see,  and  taste  aud  judgment  to  appreciate 
them." 

After  despatching  tho  above  note,  Wilson  set  out  on  a  journey  to  tho  east- 
ward, to  exhibit  his  book,  and  procure  subscribers.  He  trixvelled  as  far 
as  tho  District  of  3Iaine;  and  returned  through  Vermont,  by  the  way  of 
Albany,  to  Philadelphia.  From  a  letter  to  a  friend,  dated  Boston,  October 
10th,  1808,  we  have  made  the  following  extract: 

"  I  have  purposely  avoided  saying  anything  either  good  or  bad,  on  the 
encouragement  I  have  met  with.  I  shall  only  say,  that  among  the  many 
thou.sands  who  have  examined  my  book,  and  among  these  were  men  of  the  first 
character  for  taste  and  literature,  I  have  heard  nothing  but  expressions  of  tho 
highest  admiration  and  est<'eni.  If  I  have  been  mistaken  in  publishing  a 
work  too  good  for  the  country,  it  is  a  fault  not  likely  to  be  soon  repeated,  and 
will  pretty  severely  correct  itself.  Hut  whatever  may  be  the  result  of  these 
matters,  I  shall  not  sit  down  with  folded  hands,  while  anything  can  be  done  to 
carry  my  point :  since  (lod  helps  them  who  help  themselves.  I  am  fixing  cor- 
respondents in  every  corner  of  these  northern  regions,  like  so  many  pickets 
and  outposts,  so  that  scarcely  a  irnn  or  tit  shall  be  able  to  pass  along,  from 
York  to  Canada,  but  I  shall  get  intelligence  of  it." 

To  Mr.  I).  H.  Miller. 

"  Boston,  October  12th,  1808. 
"  Dear  Sir. 

"  1  arrived  hero  on  Sunday  last,  after  various  adventures,  the  particulars  of 
which,  as  well  as  the  ob.servations  I  have  had  leisure  to  make  upon  the  passing 
scenery  aroniid  me,  I  shall  endeavor,  :is  far  as  pitssible,  to  compress  into  this 
letter,  for  your  own  satisfaction,  ami  that  of  my  friends  who  may  bo  interested 
for  my  welfare.  My  company  in  the  stage-coach  to  Now  York  wi're  all  un- 
known to  me,  except  Colonel  S.,  who  was  on  hi.s  route  to  b'ort  ( )swego,  on 
Luke  Ontario,  to  take  command  of  the  troops  intended  to  be  staticmed  on  Mint 
part  of  tho  frontier,  to  prevcmt  evasions  of  the  embargo  law.  The  sociable  dis- 
position and  affability  of  the  Colonel  made  this  part  of  the  journey  pass  very 
agreeably,  for  both  being  fon<l  of  walking,  wlienever  the  driver  stopped  to 
water,  or  drink  grog,  which  was  generally  every  six  or  eight  miles,  we  set  out 
on  foot,  and  sometimos  got  on  several  miles  before  tho  coach  overhauled  us. 
By  this  method  we  enjoyed  our  ride,  and  with  some  little  saving  of  horseflesh, 
which  1  know  yuu  will  approve  of.  .\t  Princeton  I  bade  my  fellow-travellers 
good-by,  as  I  had  to  wait  upon  tho  reverend  doctors  of  the  college.  I  took 
my  book  under  ray  arm,  put  several  copies  of  the   prospectus   into  my  pocket, 


LIFE    OF    WILSON. 


1^ 


and  walked  up  to  this  spacious  sanctuary  of  literature,     t  could  amuse  you 

with  some  of  my  reflections  on  this  occasion,  but  room  will  not  permit.     Dr. 

Smith,  the  president,  apd  Dr.  M'Lean,  Professor  of  Natural  History,  were  the 

only  two  I  found  at  home.     The  latter  invited  me  to  tca,  and  both  were  much 

pleased  and  surprised  with  the  appearance  of  the  work.     I  expected  to  receive 

some  valuable  information   from    .M'Lean,  on  the  ornithology  of  the  country, 

but  I  soon  found,  to  my  astonishment,  that  he  scarcely  knew  a  aparrow  from  a 

irooifpeclcer.     At  his   particular  request,  I  left  a  specimen  of  tho   plates  with 

him;  and  from  what  pa.ssed  between  us,  I  have  hopes  that  he  will  pay  more 

attention  to  this  department  of  his   profession  than  he  has  hitherto  done.      I 

visited  several  other  literary  characters;  and,  at  about  half-past  eight,  the  Pilot 

coming  up,  I  took  my  passaj^e  in  it  to  New  Brunswick,  which  wo  reached  at 

midni<;ht,  and  where  I  immediately  went  to  bed. 

"  The  next  mornintr  was  spent  in  visitinj;  the  few  gentlemen  who  were  likely 

to  patronize  my  undertaking;  I  had  another  t^usk  of  tho  same  kind  at  Eliza- 

bcthtown  ;  and,  v/ithout  tiring  you  with  details  that  would  fill  a  volume,  I  shall 

only  say  that  I  reached  Newark  that  day,  having   gratified  the  curiosity,  and 

feasted  the  eyes,  of  a  great  number  of  people,  who  repaid  me  with  the  most 

extravagant  compliments,  which  I  would  have  very  willingly  exchanged  for  a 

few  simple  mihiicriptiuns.     I  spent   nearly  the  whole   of  Saturday  in   Newark, 

where  my  book  attracted  as  many  starers  as  a  bear  or  a  mammoth  would  have 

done ;  and  I  arrived  in  New  Vork  the   same  evening.     The  next  day  I  wrote 

a  number  of  letters,  enclosing  copies  of  the  prospectus,  to  difTurent  gentlemen 

in  town.     In  the  afternoon  of  Tuesday  I  took  my  book,  and  waited  on  each  of 

those  gentlemen  to  whom  I  had  written   the   preceding  day.     Among  these  I 

found  some  friends,  but  more  admirers.     The  Professors  of  Columbia  College 

expressed   much   esteem    for  my   performance.     The    professor  of  langiiage«, 

being  a  Scotchman,  and  also  a  Wilson,  seemed  to  feel  all  the  pride  of  national 

partiality  so  common  to  his  countrymen  ;  and  wiiuld  have  done  me  any  favor  in 

his  ])ower.     I  spent  the  whole   of  this  week   traversing  the   streets,  frmi  one 

particular  house  to  another,  till,  I  believe,  1  became   almost  as  well  known  as 

llio  public   erier,  or  the   clerk  of  the   market,  for  I  could    friMjuently  |)erceivo 

gentlenu^n  point  me  out  to  others  as  I  passed  with  my  book  under  my  arm. 
♦  *  *  ♦  ♦  *  * 

"On  Sunday  morning,  October  2d,  I  went  on  board  a  packet  for  New 
Haven,  distant  about  ninety  miles.  The  wind  was  favorabli',  and  carried  us 
rapidly  through  llellgate  (a  place  I  had  no  intention  of  calling  at  in  my  tour), 
(in  the  other  side  of  which  wo  found  upwards  of  sixty  vessels  beating  up  for 
a  passage.  Tl;e  Sound  here.  b(^tween"Long  Island  and  the  main,  is  narrowed 
to  less  than  half  a  mile,  and  filled  with  small  islands,  and  enormoii.s  rocks 
under  water,  among  which  the  tide  roars  and  boils  violently,  and  has  proved 
fatal  to  many  a  sctinan.  At  high  water  it  is  nearly  as  smooth  as  any  other 
place,  and  can  then  be  safely  piu-sed.  The  country,  on  the  New  York  side,  is 
(irnamentcfl  with  handsome  villas,  painted  white,  and  surrounded  by  great 
numbers  of  Lombardy  jioplars.  The  brecjio  increasing  to  a  gale,  in  eight 
hours  from  the  time  we  set  sail  the  high  red  fronteil  mountain  of  New  Haven 
rose  to  our  view.      In  two  hours  more  we  landed;  and,  by  the   stillness  and 


fn 


S; 


liv 


LIFE   OF    WILSON. 


» 

Boleniiiity  of  the  streets,  recollected  we  were  in  New  Eiijiland,  and  that  it  wat, 
Sunday,  which  latter  circumstance  had  been  almost  forgotten  on  board  the 
packet-boat. 

"This  town  is  situated  upon  a  sandy  plain;  and  the  streets  are  shaded  with 
elm  trees  and  poplars.  In  a  large  park  or  common,  covered  with  fjrass,  and 
crossed  by  two  streets,  and  several  foot-paths,  stand  tiie  church,  the  statc-hou.so 
and  college  buildings,  which  last  are  one  hundred  and  eighty  yards  in  front. 
From  these  structures  rise  four  or  five  wooden  spires,  which,  in  former  time, 
as  one  of  the  prole.s,sors  informed  me,  were  so  infested  by  woodpeckers,  which 
bored  them  in  all  directions,  that,  to  preserve  their  steeples  from  destruction, 
it  became  necessary  to  .set  people,  with  guns,  to  watch  anil  shoot  these  invaders 
of  the  .-.anctuary.  Ju.st  about  the  town  the  pasture-fields  and  corn  look  well, 
but  a  few  miles  off,  the  country  is  poor  and  ill  cultivated. 

'The  literati  of  New  Haven  received  mo  with  piilitene.«s  and  respect;  and 
after  making  my   usual  rounds,  which  occupied  a  i!ay  and  a  half,   I  set  off 
for    Middletown,   twenty-two    miles  distant.     The    country  through  which  I 
pa.s.sed  was   flat  and  sandy — in  some  places  whole  fields  were  entirely  covered 
with  sand,  not  a  bl.ide  of  vegetation  to  be  seen,  like  some  parts  of  New  Jersey. 
Kound   Middletown.  however,  the   country  is   really  beautiful — the   soil  rich; 
and  here  I  first  saw  the  river  Connecticut,  stretching  ah)ng  the   east  side  of 
the  town,  which  consists  of  one  very  broad  street,  with  rows  of  elms  on  each 
side.     On  entering  I  found  the  street  tilled  with  troojis,  it   bein|(  muster-day; 
and  I  counted  two  hundred  and  fitly  horse,  and  six  hundred  foot,  all  in  uniform 
The  side?  of  the  street  were  clinked  u])  with  wagons,  carts  and  wheel-barrows, 
filled  with  bread,  roast  beef,  fowls,  cheese,  liijuors,  barrels  of  cider,  and  rum 
bottles.     Some  were  singing  out,  '  Here's  the  best  brandy  you  ever  put  into 
your  hriitl !'  others  in  dozens  .shouting,  'Here's  the  round  and  sound  ginger- 
bread I  most  capital  gingerbread  I'      in  one  place   I  obsiived  a  row  of  twenty 
or  thirty  country  girls,  drawn  up  with  their  backs   to  a  fence,  and   two  yotini; 
fellows  s>ipplying  them  with  rolls  of  bread   from  a  neighboring  stall,  which 
they  ate  with  a  hearty  appetite.  keei)ing  nearly  as  good  time  with  their  grind- 
ers as  the  militia  did  with   their  muskets.      In  another    place  the  crowd   had 
formed  a  ring,  within  which   they  danced  to  the   catgut   scrapings   of  an  old 
negro.     The  spectators  looki'cl  on  with  as  much  gr.-ivity  as   if  thiv  were  listen- 
ing to  a  sermon  ;  and  the  dancers  labored  with  such  .seriousness,  that  it  seemed 
more   like  a  penance   impo.scd  on  the   poor  devils,  for  past  uius,  than    mere 
amuseii:enf. 

■•  I  waited  on  a  .Mr.  A.  of  this  town  ;  and  by  him  I  was  introduced  to  sev- 
eral others.  He  also  furnished  me  with  a  good  deal  of  information  respecting 
the  birds  of  New  Kngland  He  is  a  great  spnitsman — »  man  of  fortune  and 
c'lueafion — and  has  a  considerable  number  of  stuffed  birds,  some  of  which  he 
gave  nie,  besides  letters  to  several  gi-nllemen  of  influence  in  lioslon.  I  endea- 
vored to  recompense  him  in  the  best  manner  I  could,  and  again  pursued  my 
route  to  the  north-east  'I'he  country  between  this  and  Hartford  is  extremely 
beautiful,  much  resembhng  that  between  I'hiladelphia  and  Frankfonl.  The 
road  is  a  hard  sandy  soil;  and  in  one  place  I  had  an  immense  prospect  of  the 
surrounding  country,  nearly  e<|ual  to  that  which  we  saw  returning  from  KasUm, 


I' 


LIFE    OF    WILSON, 


h 


but  less  covered  with  woods.  On  rciiuhing  Hartford,  I  waited  on  Mr.  G.,  a 
member  of  congress,  who  recommended  me  to  several  others,  particularly  a 
Mr.  W.,  a  gentluiiian  of  taste  and  fortune,  who  was  extremely  obliging.  The 
publisher  of  a  ncw.'^papcr  here  expressed  the  highest  admiration* of  the  work, 
and  has  since  paid  many  handsome  compliments  to  it  iu  his  publication,  as 
three  other  editors  did  in  New  York.  This  is  a  species  of  currency  that  will 
neither  purchase  plates,  nor  pay  the  printer;  but,  nevertheless,  it  is  gratifying 
t<i  the  vanity  of  an  author — when  nothing  better  can  be  got.  My  journey  from 
Hartford  to  Boston,  through  SpringQeld,  Worcester,  &c.,  one  hundred  and 
twenty  eight  miles,  it  is  impossible  for  me  to  detail  at  this  time.  From  the 
time  I  entered  Massachusetts,  until  within  ten  miles  of  Hoston,  which  distance 
is  nearly  two-thirds  the  length  of  the  whole  Jtate,  I  took  notice  that  the  prin- 
cipal features  of  the  country  were  stony  mountains,  rocky  pasture-fields,  and 
hills  and  swamps  adorned  with  pines.  The  fences,  in  every  direction,  are  com- 
posed of  strong  stones  ;  and,  unless  a  few  straggling,  self-planted,  stunted  apple 
trees,  overgrown  with  moss,  deserve  the  name,  there  is  hardly  an  orchard  to 
be  seen  in  ten  miles.  Kvery  six  or  eight  miles  you  come  to  a  meeting-house, 
painted  white,  with  a  spire.  I  could  perceive  little  difference  iu  the  form  or 
elevation  of  their  steeples. 

'•The  people  here  make  no  distinction  between  <<<n"/i  and  township;  nod 
travellers  frequently  ask  the  driver  of  the  stage-coach,  'What  town  are  we 
now  in  ?'  when  perhaps  we  were  upon  the  top  of  a  miserable  barren  mountain, 
.several  miles  from  a  liouse.  It  is  in  vain  to  rea.son  with  the  people  on  the 
impropriety  of  this — custom  makes  every  absurdity  proper.  There  is  scarcely 
any  currency  in  this  country  but  paper,  and  I  solemnly  declare  that  I  do  not 
recollect  having  seen  one  hard  dollar  since  1  left  New  York.  Bills  even  of 
twenty-five  cents,  of  a  hundred  different  banks,  whose  very  names  one  has 
never  heard  of  before,  are  continually  i'l  circulation.  I  say  nothing  of  the 
jargun  which  prevails  in  the  country.  Their  boasted  schools,  if  I  may  judge 
by  the  slate  of  their  school-houses,  are  no  better  than  our  own. 

"Lawyers  swarn»  in  every  town,  like  locust**;  almost  every  door  has  the 
word  (ijflie  painted  over  it,  which,  like  the  web  of  a  spider,  points  out  the 
place  where  the  spoiler  links  for  his  prey.  There  is  little  or  no  improvement 
in  agriculture;  in  fifty  mili^s  1  did  not  observe  a  single  grain  or  stubble  field, 
though  the  country  ha.s  been  cleared  and  settled  these  one  hundred  and  fifty 
years.  In  shi>rt,  the  slcmh/  habi/.i  of  a  great  portion  of  the  inhabitants  of 
those  parts  of  New  England  through  which  I  pas.sed,  setim  to  be  laziness,  law 
liickeringH  and  *  *  *  *.  \  man  here  is  as  much  ashamed  of  being  seen 
walking  the  streets  on  Sunday,  unless  in  going  and  returning  from  church,  as 
iiiaiiy  would  be  of  be  ing  seen  going  to  a  *  *  *  *  *  *. 

"  Ah  you  approach  Boston  the  country  improves  in  it^  appearance ;  the  stone 
fences  give  place  to  those  of  posts  and  rails;  the  road  becomes  wi<le  and  spa- 
cious ;  and  everything  announces  a  better  degree  ol"  refinement  and  civilization. 
It  w:ts  dark  when  I  entered  Boston,  of  which  I  shall  give  you  some  account 
in  my  next,  i  have  visited  the  celebrated  Bunker's  Hill,  and  no  devout  pil- 
grim ever  approached  the  sacred  tomb  of  his  holy  prophet  with  more  awful 
enthusiasm,  and  profound  veneration,  than  I  felt  in  tracing  the  grass-grown 


I  it; 


Ivi 


LIFE    OF   WILSON. 


entrenchments  of  this  hallowed  spot,  luado  immortal  by  the  bravery  of  those 
heroes  who  defended  it,  whose  ashes  are  now  mingled  with  its  soil,  and  of 
whom  a  mean,  beggarly  inlUir  of  Irkks  is  all  the  memento." 

To  Ma.  D.  H.  Miller. 

"  NViNDSOB,  Vt.,  October  20th,  1808. 
"  Dear  Sir 

"I  wrote  you  two  or  three  weeks  ago  from  Boston,  where  I  spent  about  a 
week.  A  Mr.  S.,  formerly  private  .secretary  to  John  Adams,  introduced  me  to 
many  of  the  first  rank  in  the  place,  whoso  influence  procured  me  an  acquaint- 
ance with  others;  and  I  journeyed  through  the  streets  of  IJoston  with  my 
book,  as  I  did  at  New  York  and  other  places,  visiting  all  the  literary  charac- 
ters I  could  find  access  to. 

<'  I  spent  one  morning  examining  Hunker's  Ilill,  accompanied  by  Lieutenant 
Miller  and  Sergeant  Cart<'r,  two  old  soldiers  of  the  llevolution,  who  wore  both 
in  that  celebrated  battle,  and  who  pointed  out  to  me  a  great  number  of  inter- 
esting places.  The  brother  of  (Jeiieral  Warren,  who  is  a  respectable  physician 
of  Boston,  became  very  much  my  friend,  and  related  to  me  many  other  matters 
respecting  the  engagement. 

"  I  visited  the  University  at  Cambridge,  where  there  is  a  fine  library,  but 
the  most  tumultuous  set  of  students  I  ever  saw. 

"  From  the  top  of  Bunker's  Hill,  Boston,  Charlestown,  the  ocean,  islands 
and  adjacent  country,  ii>rm  the  most  beautifully  varied  prospect  1  ever  beheld. 
"The  streets  of  Boston  are  a  j)erli'et  labyrinth.  The  markets  are  dirty; 
the  fish-market  is  so  filthy  that  I  will  not  disgust  you  by  a  description  of  it. 
Wherever  you  walk  you  hear  the  most  hideous  howling,  ils  if  some  miserable 
wreU^h  were  expiring  on  the  wheel  at  every  corner;  this,  however,  is  nothing 
but  the  draymen  shouting  to  their  horses.  Their  drays  are  twenty. eight  feet 
long,  drawn  by  two  horses,  and  carry  trn  barrels  of  flour.  From  lioston  I 
set  out  for  Salem,  the  country  between  swampy,  and  in  some  places  the  inoBt 
barren,  rock}',  and  desolate  in  nature.  Salem  is  a  neat  little  town.  TIk; 
wharves  were  crowded  with  vessels.  One  wharf  licrc  is  twenty  hundred  and 
twenty-two  feet  long.  I  staid  here  two  days,  and  again  set  off  for  Newbury- 
port,  through  a  rocky,  uncultivated,  sterile  country." 

"  I  travelled  on  through  New  Hampshire,  stopping  at  every  place  where  I 
was  likely  to  do  any  business;  andwmt  as  far  east  as  Portland  in  Maine, 
where  I  staid  three  days,  and,  the  supreme  eonrt  being  then  sitting.  I  had  an 
opportunity  of  ^eeing  and  conversing  with  people  from  the  remotest  boundaries 
of  the  United  States  in  this  (juartcr,  and  received  much  interesting  informa- 
tioi"  from  thi'in  with  regard  to  the  birds  that  frrijuent  these  northern  regions. 
From  I'ortland  I  ilircv'ted  my  course  arro.ss  the  country,  among  dreary  savage 
glens,  and  mountains  eoveri'd  with  pines  and  hemlocks,  amid  whose  blaek 
and  half-burnt  trunks  the  everljLsting  rocks  and  stones,  that  cover  this  country, 
'grintii'd  horribly.'  One  hundred  and  finy-seven  miles  brought  me  to  Dart- 
moutli  ('.illi"_'e.  Ni'W  Ilampxhiri',  on  the  Nfrinont  linr.  Here  I  paid  my  ad- 
dresses  to  the  reveiend  fathers  of  literature,  and  met  with  a  kind  and  obliging 


%% 


*i 


LIFE    OP    WILSON. 


Ivii 


reception.     Dr.  Whcebck,  tho  president,  made  mo  eat  at  his  table,  and  the 
professors  vied  with  each  other  to  oblige  mo. 

"  I  expect  to  be  in  Albany  in  five  days,  and  if  the  legislature  be  sitting,  T 
shall  be  detained  perhaps  three  days  there.  In  eight  days  more  I  hope  to  be 
in  Philadelphia.  I  have  labored  with  the  zeal  of  a  knight-errant  in  exhibiting 
this  book  of  mine,  wherever  I  went,  travelling  with  it,  like  a  beggar  with 
his  bantling,  from  town  to  town,  and  from  one  country  to  another.  I  have 
been  loaded  with  praises — with  compliments  and  kindnesses — shaken  almost 
to  pieces  in  stage-coaches ;  have  wandered  among  strangers,  hearing  the  same 
Oil's  and  Ah's,  and  telling  the  same  story  a  thousand  times  over — and  for 
what!*  Ay,  that's  it!  You  are  very  anxious  to  know,  and  you  shall  know  the 
whole  when  I  reach  Philadelphia." 


To  Mr.  Alexander  Lawson. 

"  Albant,  November  3d,  1808. 
"  Dear  Sir. 

"  Having  a  few  leisure  momenta  at  disposal,  I  will  devote  them  to  your 
service  in  giving  you  a  sketch  of  some  circumstances  in  my  long  literary  pil- 
grimage, not  mentioned  in  my  letters  to  Mr.  Miller,  And  in  the  first  place,  I 
ought  to  thank  you  for  the  thousands  of  compliments  I  have  received  for  my 
birds,  from  persons  of  all  descriptions  ;  which  were  chiefly  due  to  the  taste  and 
skill  of  the  engraver.  In  shoi't,  the  book,  in  all  its  parts,  so  far  exceeds  the 
ideas  and  expeet-itions  of  the  first  literary  characters  in  the  eastern  section  of 
the  United  States,  as  to  command  their  admiration  and  respect.  The  only 
objection  has  been  the  sum  of  one  hundral  and  ticvnO/  dullam,  which,  in 
innumerable  instances,  has  risen  like  an  evil  genius  between  me  and  my  hopes. 
Yet  I  doubt  not  but  when  those  copies  subscribed  for  are  delivered,  and  the 
book  a  little  better  known,  the  wlnde  number  will  be  disposed  of,  and  perhaps 
encouragement  given  to  go  on  with  tin;  rest.  To  effect  this,  to  me,  most  de- 
sirable object,  I  have  encountered  the  fatigues  of  a  long,  circuitous,  and  ex- 
pensive journey,  with  a  zeal  that  has  iiuTcased  with  increasing  difficulties; 
and  sorry  I  am  t<i  say  that  the  whole  number  of  subseribers  which  I  have 
obtained  amounts  only  lo  forty -one,. 

"  While  in  New  York  I  had  the  curiosity  to  call  on  tho  celebrated  author 
of  the  '  llights  of  Man.'  He  lives  in  (iroenwidi,  a  short  way  from  the  city. 
In  the  only  decent  apartmetU  of  a  small  iMdiflerent-lookiiig  frame  house,  I 
found  this  extraordinary  man,  sitting  wrapped  in  a  night-gown,  the  table  before 
him  covered  with  newspapers,  with  pen  ami  ink  beside  him.  I'aine's  I'aee 
Would  have  excelliMitiy  suited  tl..;  L.iaracter  of  liardo'jih  ;  but  the  penetration 
and  intelligent  of  his  eye  bespeak  the  nmn  of  genius,  and  of  the  world. 
He  complained  to  me  of  his  inability  to  walk,  an  exercise  he  was  f<irmerly  fond 
of ;— he  examined  my  book,  leaf  by  leaf,  with  great  attention — desired  (ne  to 
put  down  his  name  a.s  a  subscriber;  and,  after  ini|uiring  particularly  for  Mr. 
1'.  and  .Mr.  IJ.,  wished  to  be  remembered  to  both. 

'•  .^ly  jiiurney  through  almost  the  whole  of  New  Kngland  has  rather  lowered 
the  Yankees  in    my   esteem.     Except  a  lew   neat  academic.^,  I   found  their 


'f 

Itpl 

m 

f^ 

1 

! 

t: 

■ 

Iviii 


LIFE    OF    WILSON. 


school-houses  equally  ruinous  and  deserted  with  ours — fields  covb/cd  with 
stones — stone-fences — scrubby  oaks  and  pine  trees — wretched  orchards — 
scarcely  one  grain-field  in  twenty  miles — the  tiiveriis  along  the  road  dirty, 
and  filled  with  loungers,  brawling  about  lawsuita  and  politics — the  people 
snappish,  and  extortioners,  lazy,  and  two  hundred  years  behind  the  Pennsyl- 
vanians  in  agricultural  improvements.  I  traversed  the  country  bordering  the 
river  Connecticut  for  nearly  two  hundred  miles.  Mountains  rose  on  either 
side,  sonietinios  three,  six,  or  eight  miles  apart,  the  space  between  almost  alto- 
gether al'uvial;  the  plains  fertile,  but  not  half-cultivated.  From  some  pro- 
jecting headlands  I  had  immense  prospects  of  the  surrounding  countries, 
everywhere  clothed  in  pine,  hemlock,  and  scrubby  oak. 

"It  was  late  in  the  evening  when  I  entered  IJoston,  and,  whirling  through 
the  narrow,  lighted  street.-*,  or  rather  lanes,  I  could  form  but  a  very  imperfect 
idea  of  the  town.  Karly  the  next  n)orning,  resolved  to  see  where  I  was,  I 
sought  out  the  way  to  licacon  Hill,  the  highvst  part  of  the  town,  and  whence 
you  look  down  on  the  roofs  of  th(!  houses — the  bay  interspersed  with  islands 
— the  ocean — the  surrounding  country,  and  distant  mountains  of  New  Hamp- 
shire; but  the  most  singular  objects  are  the  long  wooden  bridges,  of  which 
there  are  five  or  six,  some  of  them  three-quarters  of  a  mile  long,  uniting  the 
t<)Wns  of  Boston  and  Charlestown  with  each  other,  and  with  the  main  land, 
I  looked  round  with  an  eager  eye  for  that  cmincDce  bo  justly  celebrated  in 
the  history  of  the  Kevolution  of  the  I'nited  States,  HcNKKli's  llli.L,  but  I 
could  see  notliing  that  1  could  think  deserving  ot  the  name,  till  a  gentleman, 
who  stood  by,  pointed  out  a  white  monument  upon  a  height  beyond  Charles- 
town,  which  he  said  w:i.s  the  place  1  explored  my  way  thither  without  paying 
much  attention  to  other  passing  object.s  ;  and.  in  tracing  the  streets  of  Charles- 
town,  was  astonished  and  hurt  at  the  indifference  with  which  the  inhabitants 
directed  me  to  the  place.*  I  inquired  if  there  were  any  person  still  living 
here  who  had  been  in  tlie  battle,  and  I  was  directed  to  a  .^Ir.  Miller,  who  was 
a  lieutenant   in   this  memorable   affair,     lie  is  u  man  of  abou:  sixty — st^  ut, 

*  We  have  licre  n  trnit  of  clinnirlor  worthy  of  note,  Wilson's  enthii.-iiflstn  lid  not  per- 
mit him  to  rcflcrt.  llmt  nn  olijert  which  pri'seiits  uncommon  nttriiction.H  to  oni;  «ho  U'hoMs 
it  for  the  first  time,  van  hnve  no  such  effect  uj>on  the  minds  of  the  multitude,  aeciiittomed 
to  view  it  fnini  tlioir  infancy  ;  and  in  whoso  l)rea»ts  ilii)»e  ctiastc  und  cxquisito  feeliin;s 
which  rcstiit  from  liisio,  rclineil  by  culture,  can  have  no  place. 

Hut  what  Wilson  felt  upon  this  occasion,  was  that  which  ahnosl  all  men  of  pMiius  and 
scnsihility  experience  when  similarly  situated — that  <llvine  enthnsiasni,  which  exalts  one, 
as  it  were,  shore  mortality,  and  which  commamls  our  rexpcct  in  proportion  as  the  subject 
of  it  is  esiimnlile  or  irreat. 

Who  has  not  read,  or  harin^r  read,  who  can  {urget,  that  admirable  passage  in  Johnson's 
Journey  lu  the  Hebrides,  wherein  the  illustrious  traveller  relates  h,s  relteclions  on  his 
landinu  upon  the  island  of  Iculmkill  1  "  I'ar  from  me,  and  from  my  friemls,"  says  he, 
"  I)C  such  frigid  philosophy  as  may  conduct  us  inditfert'nt  ami  unmoved  over  any  f;ronnil 
which  has  been  di^MiiliciI  by  wisdom,  bravery,  or  virtue,"  That  this  frit,'id  idiilosophy 
was  a  slranj;cr  to  the  soul  of  Wilson,  we  have  his  own  declaration  in  evidence  ;  and  so 
iittic  skilled  was  he  in  the  art  of  conecniinf;  his  emotions,  that,  on  any  ocra.sion  whirh 
awakened  his  sensibility,  he  would  exhibit  the  impulse  of  sitnplu  initurc  by  weeping  lika 
a  child. 


lii^ 


LIFE    OF    WILSON. 


llX 


fomarkably  freah-oulorcd,  with  a  benign  und  manly  countenance.  I  introduced 
myself  without  ceremony — .shook  hin  hand  with  sincere  cordiality,  and  said, 
with  some  wiiruith,  that  I  was  proud  of  the  honor  of  meeting  with  one  of  the 
heroes  of  Bunker's  Hill — the  tirst  uncon([tierable  chumpioiia  of  their  country. 
He  looked  at  uie,  pressed  my  hand  in  his,  ur;  i  the  tears  instantly  glistened  in 
his  eyes,  which  as  instantly  called  up  corresp()iidingj>ncs  in  my  own.  In  our 
way  to  the  place  ho  called  on  a  Mr.  Carter,  who  he  said  was  also  in  the  action, 
and  might  recollect  some  circumstances  which  he  had  forgotten.  With  these 
two  veterans  I  spout  three  hours,  the  most  interesting  to  me  of  any  of  my  life. 
As  they  pointed  out  to  me  the  route  of  the  Hritish — the  American  intrcneh- 
luuiita — the  place  where  the  greatest  slaughter  was  made — the  spot  where 
Wurrcn  fell,  and  where  he  was  thrown  amid  heaps  of  tiie  dead,  I  felt  as  though 
I  could  liave  encountered  a  whole  battalion  myself  in  the  same  glorious  cause. 
The  old  soldiers  were  highly  delighted  with  my  enthusiasm;  we  drank  a  glass 
of  wine  to  the  memory  of  the  illustrious  dead,  and  parted  almost  with  regret. 

"  From  Boston  to  Portland,  in  the  district  of  Maine,  you  are  almost  always 
in  the  neighborhood,  or  within  sight,  of  the  Atlantic.  The  country  may  be 
c;illod  a  mere  skeleton  of  rocks,  and  fields  of  sund,  in  many  places  entirely 
destitute  of  wood,  except  a  few  low  scrubby  junipers,  in  others  covered  with 
pines  of  a  diminutive  growth.  On  entering  the  tavern  in  Portland,  I  took  up 
the  newspaper  of  the  day,  in  which  I  found  my  song  of  Freedom  ami  Peace,* 
which  I  afterwards  heard  read  before  a  numerous  company  (for  the  supreme 
court  was  sitting),  with  great  emphasis,  as  a  most  excellent  song;  but  I  said 
nothing  on  the  subject. 

"  From  Portland  I  steered  acros^s  the  country  for  the  northern  parts  of  Ver- 
mont, among  barren,  savage,  pine-covered  mountains,  through  regions  where 
nature  ajid  art  have  dune  infinitely  less  to  make  it  a  fit  residence  for  man  than 
any  country  I  ever  traversed.  AuKing  these  dreary  tracts  I  found  winter  had 
already  commenced,  and  the  snow  several  inches  deep.  I  called  at  Dartmouth 
('iillegc,  the  president  of  which,  as  well  as  of  all  I  visited  in  New  England, 
subscribed.  Though  sick  with  a  severe  ct)ld,  and  great  fatigue,  I  continued 
my  route  to  this  place,  passing  and  calling  at  great  numbers  of  small  towns  in 
my  way. 

■'  Tlie  legislature  is  at  present  in  session — the  newspapers  have  to-day  taken 
notice  of  my  book,  and  inserted  my  advertisement — I  shall  call  on  the  i)rinei- 
pal  peojilc — employ  an  agent  among  some  of  the  booksellers  iu  Albany,  and 
return  home  by  New  York." 

Wilson,  after  tarrying  at  homo  n  few  d.iys,  departed  to  the  siouthward,  visit- 
ing every  city  and  town  of  impurtancc  as  far  as  Savannah,  in  the  state  of 
(ieorgia.  This  jnurney,  being  performed  in  the  winter,  and  aiune,  was  of 
course  not  attended  with  many  travelling  eumforts;  and,  to  avuid  the  ineon- 
V(  iiiences  of  a  return  by  land,  he  embarked  in  a  vessel,  and  arrived  at  New 


•A  certain  milithry  nssioriAtinii  of  rhilnilrlphin,  being  disposeil  to  dipnify  the  national 
ci'lelirnlion  of  tills  yeiir,  otlrred  ii  t;oUl  nii'iliil  for  tlic  l)cst  son^  wliicli  should  be  writtoii 
for  thf  occnsioii  ;  'and  Wilsun  bore  away  the  priue  from  many  competitors. 


ww^Wi. 


IV 


jj  LIFE   OF   WILSON. 

York  in  tho  month  of  March,  1809.     This  was  rather  an  unproductive  tour  j 
but  few  subscriptionu  being  obtained. 

To  JIb.  D.   II.   MiLT.ER. 

"  Wasuinoto.v  CiTV,  Doccmbor  24th,  1808. 
"  Dear  Sir. 

"  I  sit  down,  before  leaving;  thi.s  plai-e,  to  give  you  a  few  particulars  of  my 
expedition.  I  Kpent  nearly  a  week  in  Haltiuiorc,  with  tolerable  succo.sh,  Imvinj^ 
procured  si.xteen  subscribers  there.  In  Annapolis  I  jxiMctl  my  book  through 
both  houses  of  the  legislature:  the  wise  men  of  Maryland  stared  ami  gaped, 
from  bench  to  bench  ;  but  having  never  heard  of  such  a  thing  as  one  hundred 
and  twenty  dollars  for  a  (jou/c,  tiie  a^rx  for  subscribing  were  nonr ;  and  so  it 
was  unanimously  determineil  in  the  nr</ative.  Nowise  discouraged  by  this  snye 
decision.  T  pursued  my  route  through  the  t(dincc()  fields,  sloughs  and  swamps, 
of  this  illiterate  corner  of  the  state,  to  Washington,  distant  thirty-eight  miles; 
and  in  my  way  opened  fifty-five  gates.  I  was  forewarned  that  I  should  meet 
with  many  of  the.«e  end)arra.«sments,  and  I  opened  twenty-two  of  them  with  all 
the  patience  and  philosojiliy  I  could  uuister ;  but  when  I  still  fouml  them 
coming  thicker  and  faster,  my  patience  and  philosophy  both  abandoned  me, 
and  I  saluted  every  new  gate  (which  obliged  me  to  plunge  into  the  mud  to  open 
it)  with  perhaps  le.xs  Christian  resignation  than  I  ought  to  have  done.  Tho 
nei'roes  there  are  very  numerouo,  and  most  wretchedly  clad;  their  whole  cover- 
ing, in  many  instances,  assumes  the  appearance  of  neither  coat,  waistcoat,  nor 
breeches,  but  a  motley  mass  of  coarse,  dirty  woollen  rags,  of  various  colors, 
gatlier<'d  up  about  them.  When  I  sto|)ped  at  some  of  the  negro  huts  to 
inquire  the  road,  both  men  an<l  women  huddled  up  their  filthy  bundles  of  rags 
around  them,  with  both  arms,  in  order  U)  cover  Hieir  nakedness,  and  came  out, 
very  civilly,  to  show  me  the  way. 

"  I  cannot  pretend,  within  the  bounds  of  a  letter,  to  give  you  a  complete 
description  of  Washington.  It  consists  of  a  great  extent  of  coiifiiK-d  eom- 
miius,  one-half  of  which  is  nearly  level,  and  little  higher  than  the  I'otomae; 
the  other  part*,  on  which  tho  Capitol  and  President's  house  arc  built,  arc  high 
and  eoinmandini:.  The  site  is  much  better  than  I  expected  to  fiu<l  it ;  und  is 
certainly  a  noble  place  for  a  great  metrnpolis.  I  saw  out:  brick  house  b\iild. 
ing.  which  is  the  only  improvenK'iit,  of  that  kind,  going  on  at  present.  Tho 
tJiverns  and  boarding-houses  here  are  crowded  with  an  odd  if.seinblage  of 
characters.  Fat  placemen,  expectants,  contractors,  petitioners,  ofTicc-hnntcrs, 
luiiiberdealcrs,  salt-manufactiiriTs.  and  numerous  other  advcnturrrs.  Among 
the  rest  are  deputations  from  different  Indian  natiniis.  along  our  distant  froii- 
tiers,  who  are  (•■mie  liithcr  to  receivi?  their  last  alms  from  the  President,  pre- 
viniis  to  his  retirement. 

"The  President  received  me  very  kindly.  I  asked  f(»r  nobody  to  introduce 
nie.  but  merely  sent  him  in  a  line  that  I  was  there;  wlicn  he  ordereii  me  to  bo 
immediately  admitted.  He  has  given  nu;  a  letter  to  a  gentlennin  in  \'irginia, 
who  is  to  intrtxluce  ma  to  a  person  there,  who,  .^lr.  .lefTerson  says,  has  hpent 
his  whole  life  in  studying  the  manners  of  our  birds;  and  from  whom  I  am  to 
receive  a  world  of  facts  ami  observatidiis  The  President  intendt'd  to  send 
for  thiij  person  himself;  and  to  take  down,  from  bis  mouth,  what  he  knows  od 


LIFE    OF    WILSON. 


1x1 


the  subject;  thinking  it  a  pity,  as  ho  Hays,  that  tho  knowiodgo  ho  poBSOSseS 
should  (lie  with  him.  Hut  ho  has  intrusted  tho  huainosa  to  mo;  and  I  have 
promised  liim  an  account  of  our  interview. 

"  All  tho  subscribers  I  have  gleaned  hero  amount  to  flovcntocn.  I  shall  sot 
off,  on  finishing  this  letter,  to  Georgetown  and  Alexandria.  I  will  writo  you, 
or  some  of  my  friends,  from  Richmond." 

■-''■"  ••    .  * 

To  Mr.  D.  II.  MiLLKH.  ' 

"  Charleston,  February  22d,  1809. 
"  Pear  Sir. 

"  I  have  passed  through  a  considerable  extent  of  country  since  I  wrote  you 

last;  and  met  with  a  variety  of  odventurea,  some  of  which  may  perhaps  amuse 

you.     Norfolk  turned  out  better  than   I  expected.     I  loft  that  pluco  on  one 

of  tho  coldest  mornings  I  have  oxpcrieuced  since  leaving  Philadelphia. 

"  T  mentioned  to  you  in  my  last  that  the  streets  of  Norfolk  were  in  a  most 
disgraceful  state;  but  I  was  informed  that  sonio  time  before,  they  had  been 
much  worse;  that  at  one  time  the  news-carrier  delivered  his  papers  from  a 
boat,  which  he  poled  along  through  the  mire ;  and  that  a  party  of  sailors, 
having  nothing  bettor  to  do,  actually  launched  a  ship's  long-boat  into  the 
streets,  rowing  olong  with  four  oars  through  tho  mud,  while  one  stood  at  the 
bow,  heaving  the  lead,  and  singing  out  the  depth. 

"  I  passed  through  a  flat,  jiine-covered  country,  from  Norfolk  to  Suffolk, 
twenty-four  miles  distant;  and  lodged,  in  the  way,  in  the  house  of  a  planter, 
who  informed  me  that  every  year,  in  .\ugust  and  September,  almost  all  his 
family  arc  laid  up  with  the  bilious  fever;  that  at  one  time  forty  of  his  people 
were  sick;  and  thut  of  thirteen  children,  only  three  weri.  living.  T.^  of 
these,  with  their  i;iotber,  appeared  likely  not  to  We  long  tenants  of  this  world. 
Thirty  miles  farther,  I  came  to  a  small  place  on  the  river  Nottaway,  called 
Jerusalem.  Here  I  found  tho  river  swelleil  to  such  an  exfr.aordinary  height, 
that  the  oldest  inhabitant  had  never  ween  the  like.  After  pas.^inu'  along  tho 
bridge,  I  was  convoyed,  in  a  boat  termed  a  Jlut,  a  mile  and  three-quarters 
through  tho  woods,  where  the  torrent  sweeping  along  in  many  places  rendered 
this  sort  of  navigation  rather  disagreeable.  I  proceeded  on  my  journey,  jiass- 
ing  through  solitary  pine  woods,  perpetually  interrupted  by  swamps,  that 
covohmI  the  road  with  water  two  an<l  three  feet  deep,  fre(|uently  half  a  mile 
at  a  lime,  looking  like  a  long  river  or  pond.  The.se  in  the  afternoon  were 
Burmountable  ;  but  the  weather  being  exceedingly  severe,  they  were  covered 
every  morning  with  a  ,^heet  of  ieo,  from  half  an  inch  to  an  inch  thick,  that 
cut  my  horse's  legs  and  breast.  After  passing  a  bridge,  I  had  many  times  to 
wade,  and  twice  to  swim  my  horso,  to  get  to  the  shore.  I  attempted  to  cross 
tho  Roanoke  at  three  different  ferries,  thirty-five  miles  apart,  and  at  last  suc- 
ceeded at  a  place  about  fifteen  miles  below  Halifax.  .V  violent  snow  storm 
made  the  roads  still  more  execrable. 

'•  The  productions  of  these  parts  of  North  Carolina  are  hogs,  turpentine,  tar, 
and  npjile  brandy.  A  tumbler  of  toddy  ix  usually  the  morning's  beverage  of 
tho  inhabitan      as  soon  as  they  get  out  of  bed.     So  univensal  is  tho  practice, 


i*-x 


,'l 


11' 


'I 


i     iM,''* 


::||ljll| 


Ixii 


LIFK    OF    WILSON. 


that  the  firct  thing  you  find  them  engnged  in,  a(U<r  rining,  \h  propiiring  the 
bvimiiy  to(/<fi/.  Ydii  can  Hciircfly  meet  a  niiin  whose  lips  aro  not  piircheil  nnd 
chopped  or  blistered  with  drinking  this  poison.  Those  who  do  not  drink  it, 
tliey  8Jty,  iire  sure  of  the  npue.  I,  however,  eseaped.  The  pine  woods  hiive  n 
pinguliir  iippearancc.  every  tree  .being  stripped,  on  one  or  more  sides,  of  the 
bark,  for  six  or  seven  feet  up.  The  turpentine  covers  these  parts  in  thick 
masses.  I  saw  the  people,  in  different  parts  of  the  woods,  mounted  on  benches, 
chopping  down  the  ((ides  of  the  trees;  leaving  a  trough  or  box  in  the  tree  f,,r 
the  turpentine  to  run  into.  Of  hogs  they  have  immense  multitudes;  one 
person  will  sometimes  own  five  hundred.  The  leaders  have  bells  round  their 
necks-  and  every  drove  knows  its  partieular  call,  whether  it  be  a  coiieh-!«hel!, 
or  the  bawling  <d'  a  negro,  though  half  a  mile  off.  Their  owners  will  .some- 
times drive  them  for  four  or  five  days  to  a  market,  without  onee  feeding  them. 
"The  taverns  are  the  most  desolate  and  beggarly  imagina!  '  ■  bare,  bleak, 
and  dirty  walls; — one  or  two  old  broken  chairs,  and  a  bench,  form  all  the 
furniture.  The  white  females  sehbmi  make  their  appearance;  and  every 
thing  must  be  transacted  through  the  medium  of  negroes.  At  supper,  you 
sit  down  to  a  meal,  the  very  sight  of  which  is  sufficient  to  deaden  the  most 
eager  appetite;  anil  you  are  surrounded  by  half  a  dozen  dirty,  half-naked 
black.>.,  male  nnd  female,  whom  any  man  of  common  scent  might  smell  a 
quarter  of  a  mile  off.  The  house  itself  is  rai.sed  upon  props,  four  or  five  feet; 
and  the  space  below  is  lell  open  for  the  hogs,  with  whose  charming  vocal  per- 
formance the  wearied  traveller  is  serenaded  the  whole  night  long,  till  he  is 
forced  to  curse  the  hogs,  the  house,  and  everyAing  about  it. 

"  1  crossed  the  river  Taw  at  Washington,  for  Xewbern,  which  stands  upon 
a  sandy  plain,  between  the  rivers  Trent  and  Neusc,  both  of  which  abound  with 
alli'^ators.  Here  I  found  the  shad  fishery  begun,  on  the  5lh  instant;  and 
wished  tvj  have  some  of  you  with  Uio  to  assi.st  in  dissecting  some  of  the  finest 
shad  I  ever  saw.  Thence  to  Wilmington  was  my  next  stage,  one  hundred 
miles,  with  otilv  one  house  for  the  aecommodatinn  of  travellers  on  the  road; 
two  landlords  having  been  broken  up  with  the  lever. 

"The  general  features  of  North  Carolina,  where  I  crossed  it,  are  immense, 
solitary,  pine  savannas,  through  wbieb  the  road  winds  among  stjignant  ponds, 
swarmintr  with  alligators;  dark.  slug<_'ish  creeks,  of  the  color  of  brandy,  over 
which  are  thrown  high  wooden  bridgi's,  without  railings,  an  I  so  crazy  and 
rotten  as  not  only  to  alarm  <me'«  horse,  but  also  the  rider,  and  to  make  it  a 
matter  of  thanksgiving  with  both  when  they  get  fairly  orrr,  without  goinji 
thriiui/h ;  enormous  eyjirc'S  swamps,  which,  to  a  stranger,  have  a  striking, 
desolate,  and  ruinous  appearance  Picture  t^»  yourself  a  forest  of  prodigious 
trees,  rising,  as  thick  !i«  they  can  grow,  from  a  va>-t  flat  and  impenetrable  niora.-s, 
covered  for  ten  feet  from  the  ground  with  reeds.  The  le.ifle.ss  limbs  of  the 
cvpressc.-!  are  clothed  with  an  extr.iordinary  kind  of  moss  (  TiU'inihiu  umronlrit), 
from  two  to  ten  feet  long,  in  such  (|uantities,  that  til\y  men  might  conceal 
themselves  in  one  tree.  Nothitig  in  this  country  struck  mo  with  such  surprise 
as  the  prospect  of  sever.il  thousand  acres  of  such  tindier,  loaded,  as  it  were, 
with  many  million  tons  of  tow,  waving  in  the  wind.  I  iittempted  to  penetrate 
several  of  these  swamps,  with  my  gun,  in  search  of  something  new  ;  but,  except 


l!      i 

l1        ,! 


f1i 


MFK    OF    WILSON. 


Ixiii 


in  Honio  clinneo  pluccs,  I  foiintl  it  nlUip-ther  iinpracticiiblo.  I  conBted  alftng 
their  liiinior.s,  liowi-vcr,  in  many  places,  and  was  Hnrj)rined  iit  the  great  profusion 
of  cvcrf:;rocn8,  of  nunihorless  wtrtH ;  and  a  variety  of  berrioa  that  I  knew  nothing 
of.  Here  I  found  niultitudos  of  hinJn  that  never  winter  with  u«  in  Pennwyl- 
vania,  living  in  abundance.  Tliougli  the  peoj)lo  told  me  that  the  alligators  are 
go  numerous  an  to  destroy  many  of  thoir  pigs,  calves,  hogs,  &o.,  yet  I  have 
never  been  enabled  to  get  my  eye  on  one,  though  I  have  been  sevornl  times  in 
HCirch  of  them  with  my  gun.  In  (leorgia,  they  tell  mo,  they  are  ten  times 
more  numerous;  and  I  expect  some  sport  anitrng  them.  I  saw  a  dog  at  the 
river  Santee,  who  swims  across  when  ho  |)Ieases,  in  defiance  of  these  voracious 
iiiiinmls;  when  he  hears  them  behind  him,  he  wheels  round,  and  attacks  them, 
often  sciziii_'  them  by  the  snout.  They  generally  retreat,  and  he  pursues  his 
route  again,  serving  every  one  that  attacks  him  in  the  sane  manner.*  lie 
belongs  to  the  boatman  ;  and,  when  lelY  behind,  always  takes  to  the  water. 

"  As  to  the  charaei.'  of  the  North  Carolinians,  were  I  to  judge  of  it  by  the 
specimens  which  I  met  with  in  taverns,  I  should  pronounce  them  to  bo  the 
most  ignorant,  debased,  indolent  and  dissipated  portion  of  the  union.  But  I 
became  aci|nainted  with  a  few  such  noble  exceptions,  that,  for  thrir  sakcs,  I  am 
willing  to  believe  they  are  all  better  than  they  seemed  to  be. 

"  Wilmington  contains  about  three  thousand  souls;  and  yet  there  ia  not  one 
cultivated  field  within  several  miles  of  it.  The  whole  country,  on  this  side  of 
the  river,  is  a  mass  of  sand,  into  which  you  sink  up  to  the  ankles;  and  hardly 
a  blade  of  gra.ss  is  to  be  seen.     All  about  is  pine  barrens.       ♦       *       ♦       ♦ 

"  From  Wilmington  I  rode  through  solitary  ])inc  savannas,  and  cypress 
swamps,  as  before;  sometimes  thirty  miles  without  seeing  a  hut,  or  human 
being.  On  arriving  at  tl:e  Waekamaw,  I'edce,  and  Hlack  river,  I  made  long 
zigzags  ainring  the  rich  nabobs,  who  liv<!  on  their  rice  j-lantations,  amiilst  large 
villages  of  negro  huts.  One  of  these  gentlemen  told  me  that  he  had  '■•  mme- 
thinij  Itelter  thun  fi.r  hundnd  hrnd  o/ lilark*  !"  Theno  excursions  detained  me 
greatly.  The  roads  to  the  planlalioiiH  were  so  long,  so  diflicult  to  find,  and  so 
bad.  and  the  hospitality  of  the  ]ilantcrs  was  such,  that  1  co\ild  scarcely  get  away 
again.  I  ought  to  have  told  you  that  the  liccp  sands  of  South  Carolina  liad  .so 
worn  out  my  horse,  tliat,  with  all  my  care,  I  found  he  would  give  up.  Chance 
Icil  nic  to  the  hou.sc  of  a  planter,  named  V.,  about  forty  miles  north  of  the 
river  Waekamaw,  wheic  I  ^     nosed  to  bargain  with   him,  and  to  give  up  my 


•  This  in  nn  nnrommon  inslHnee  of  intrepidity  in  llip  rnninc  rnoc,  Bml  in  worthy  of 
rccoril.  It  is  well  known  that  the  nIli^;ator  is  foiiil  of  ilo;;-flnsh  ;  nnd  the  (io({  np|ifar'i  to 
'w  in'itraded  hy  iiistiiict  to  avoid  so  dan^eruiM  an  eni'tny,  it  U-in);  ditticiilt  to  itidace  liini 
lo  B|iproHch  llie  haunts  of  the  nlli^'ntor,  even  when  rncf)iirn>:cd  liy  tlie  e.\iim|i|c  of  liis 
iiiiitti-r.  A  tine  stunt  spnnii-l  iiccniiipiiiiii'd  me  to  Kust  Florida.  Uoiiij;  otic  (hiv  ('n^'nt;(M| 
III  Hadint;  throiijrh  «  pond,  in  pursuit  of  chicks,  with  my  doj;  swimmiiii;  hi'hiiid  nic,  nppa- 
ri-iitly  ihdiKlitt'd  witli  his  rmphiynivnt,  he  smelt  nn  alliKHtor  :  he  iniinediately  mmle  to  the 
shore,  fled  into  th-.-  forest,  and  all  my  endeavors  to  prevail  with  him  to  retarn  were  inef- 
Irilanl.  Kver  after,  when  we  approached  that  pond,  lie  exhihiteil  such  evidences  of 
nppielietisioti,  that  I  was  fuiii  to  retire  with  him,  le-t  his  icrnr  >hould  again  inilucp  him  to 
tlee,  where  he  would  have,  prid>«h|y,  been  lost. 


i  1 

i 
i'       i 

1 

in 

Ixiv 


LIFE    OF    WILSON. 


youD^  bloo,l  horif  lor  nnotlior  in  oxdiiinKo ;  K'V'"g  1'"'"  »t  l^'O"'  wi  good  a  char 
octor  iw  ho  (loMorvod.  //<•  n!*ki'<l  twenty  cl..llarn  to  Loot,  and  /  thirty.  We 
jmrfi'd,  but  I  roiild  itorcoivo  that  ho  had  talcon  u  likinK  to  my  Htt-fd ;  ho  I  went 
on.  Ilo  lollowt'd  mo  to  tho  m-ahouch,  about  throo  niiloK,  under  pretonoo  of 
pointing  out  to  ino  tho  road ;  and  there,  on  tho  nandu,  aniidMt  tho  roar  of  tho 
Atlantie,  we  tiniiiiy  bargained  ;  ami  I  found  niymdf  in  piMsenHion  of  a  hirge, 
well  forniod  and  elegant  Horrol  horne,  that  ran  oil  with  me,  at  a  canter, 
(or  fifteen  miles  along  tho  nea  shore;  and  travelled  tho  Bamo  day  forty-two 
iniloH,  with  nothing  but  a  few  mouthful.s  of  riee  xtraw,  which  I  got  from  a 
negro.  If  you  have  •  ver  neen  the  rushcH  with  which  carpenters  mmietime.i 
smooth  their  work,  you  nniy  form  sonio  idea  of  tho  cuinmou  fare  of  tho  South 
Carolina  horse.x.  I  found  now  that  I  had  got  a  very  devil  bcforo  my  chair; 
the  least  sound  of  the  whip  made  him  spring  half  a  rod  at  a  leap;  no  road, 
however  long  or  heavy,  could  tamo  him.  Two  or  three  times  ho  had  nearly 
broke  my  neck,  and  chnir  to  boot;  and  at  (Jeorgetown  ferry  ho  threw  ono  of 
the  boatmen  into  the  river.  Hut  he  i.s  an  excellent  traveller,  and  for  that  ono 
(|uality  I  forgave  him  uU  his  sins,  only  keeping  a  eloso  rein,  and  a  shurp  look- 
out. 

«  «  *  * 

"  I  should  now  give  you  some  account  of  Charleston,  with  tho  strcetn  of 
which  I  am  as  well  actiuainted  as  I  was  with  those  of  New  York  and  Hoston  ; 
but  I  reserve  that  till  we  meet  I  shall  only  say,  that  the  streets  cnws  each 
other  at  right  angles — are  paved  on  the  sides — have  a  low  bed  of  sand  in  tiio 
middle ;  and  frci(ucntly  are  in  a  state  fit  to  compare  to  those  of  Norfolk.  Tho 
town,  however,  is  neat — has  a  g:iy  appearance — is  full  of  shops;  and  has  a 
market-place  which  far  surpasses  tlmse  (d'  I'liiladelphia  for  cleanlincs.s,  and  is 
an  honor  to  the  city.  Many  of  the  buildings  have  two,  three,  and  four  ranges 
of  piiizza.s.  one  above  another,  with  a  great  deal  of  gingerbread  work  about 
them.  The  streets  are  crowded  with  negroes  ;  and  their  (piarrels  often  afford 
amusement  to  the  passengers.  In  a  strert  called  Hroad  street,  I  c^very  d.iy  sco 
a  crowd  of  wretchedly  clad  blacks,  huddled  in  a  corner  for  sale  :  people  hainl- 
ling  them  as  tlicy  do  black  cattle.  Here  are  fi  male  chimneysweeps;  stalls 
with  roasted  sweet-potatoes  for  sale  ;  ami  on  the  wharves  clubs  (d'  blacks,  male 
and  female,  sitting  round  fires,  amid  heaps  of  oysfcr-sholls,  cooking  their  vic- 
tual,^— these  seem  the  happiest  mortals  on  earth.  The  finest  groups  for  a  comic 
painter  might  every  day  be  found  Iutc  that  any  country  can  produce. 

•'  The  ladies  of  Charleston  are  dressed  with  t4u»te  ;  but  their  jjale  and  languid 
countenances  by  no  means  correspond  with  their  figures.     *     *     ♦     ♦ 

"  To-morrow  afternoon  I  idiall  set  off  for  Savatiiiah.  I  have  collected  one 
hundred  and  twenty-five  subscribers  since  leaving  home." 

"Savannah,  March  5th,  1809. 
"  Dear  Sir. 

"  I  have  now  reached  the  nc  jtlmt  ultra  of  my  peregrinations,  and  shall 
return  home  by  the  first  opportunity.  Whether  this  shall  Ik;  by  land  or  water, 
ilepends  on  circumstances;  if  tlio  former,  I  shall  go  by  Augusta,  where  I  am 
told  twelve  or  fifteen  subscribers  may  be  procured.     These,  however,  would 


i' 


I.IFK    OF    WILSON. 


Ixv 


b«  itiHiifficiont  to  toinpt.  iiiu  that  way,  for  I  douht  w'lothor  my  funcln  would  bo 
Niifficloiit  to  nnrry  tiio  tllro\l^h. 

"  The   innkonporH  in  tlio  Houthern  ntaU^n  nro  likn  the  vultures  that  hover 
about  their  cities;  and  triMit  their  ywn^i  ns  the  otluTH  (hi  their  nirrion  :  are  as 
glad  to  Hee  tlieni,  and  piej^  them  us  hnre.     The  limt  letter  I  wrote  you  waH  on 
my  arrival  in  Charleston,     I  found  greater  diflieuitie.s  to  surmount  there  than 
I  hud  tliou^ht  of,     I  solieited  scvimil  iieople  tor  a  list  of  names,  but  that  abject 
and   disgraceful   liMticNsnesH  and    want  of  energy,    which   have   unnerved   the 
■  hites  of  all  descriptions  in  those  states,  put  mo  off  from  time  to  time,  till  at 
';  it  I  WHS  obliged  to  walk  thi*  streets,  and  |ii('k  out  those  houses  which,  from 
their  appearance,  indicated  wealth  and   taste  in  the  occupants,  and  introduce 
myself.     Neither  M.,  I)r,  U.,  nor  any  other  that  I  applied  to,  (cavo  mo  the 
least  assistance,  thou>;h  they  promised,   and   knew  I   was  a  sfran(.fer.      I  was 
going  on  in  this  way,  whi^n  the  kee|i('r  of  tln^  library,  a  Scotsnuin,  a  go'id  man, 
whose  name  liad  been  mentioned  to  me,  made  me  out  a  list  from  the  directory ; 
and  among  these  I  spent  ten  days.     The  extreme  siTvility,  and  superahund- 
nnce  of  negroes,  have  ruined  the  energy  ami  activity  of  the  white  population. 
y\.  appears   to  be   last  sinking  into  tlie  same   insipidity  of  character,  with  a 
pretty  (»<Kid  sprinkling  of  rapaiiity.      In  (y'harleston,  however,  I  met  with  some 
excellent  exceptions,  among  the  first  ranks  of  society;  and  the  work  excited 
univ<.'rsal  admiration.      l)r.  I),  introduced  it  very  hatidsomely  into  the  (,'ourior. 
On  hearing  of  Qencrul  Wilkinson's  arrival,   I  waited  on  him.     He  rocoivod 
lue  with  kindness — said  he  valued  the  book   highly — and  paid  me  the  twelve 
dollars ;  on  which  I  took  occaj«ion  to  progno.sticate  my  final  sucects  on  receiving 
its  Jirnl  fniiU  from  him. 

"  I  will  not  tire  you  by  a  recital  of  the  diflTiculties  which  I  met  with  between 
Charleston  and  i^avanniih.  by  bad  roads,  and  the  extraordinary  fluod  of  the 
river  Savannah,  where  I  had  nearly  lost  my  horse,  he  having,  by  his  restivenesw, 
thrown  himself  overboard;  and,  had  1  not,  at  great  personal  risk,  rescued  him, 
he  might  have  lloated  down  to  Savannah  before  me. 

"  I  arrived  hero  on  Tuesday  la.>^t,  and  ailvertised  in  the  Ilcpublican,  tho 
editors  ol"  which  int<^rested  themselves  considerably  for  mc,  speaking  of  my 
book  in  tliiMT  Thursday's  paper  with  muih  approbation.  The  expense  of  adver- 
tising in  the  southern  states  is  grea' ,  but  1  found  it  really  necessary.  I  have 
now  seen  every  person  in  this  place  and  neighborhood,  of  use  to  be  seen.  Here 
I  dose  the  list  of  my  subscriptions,  obtained  at  a  price  worth  more  tbaii  fivo 
times  their  amount.  Hut,  in  sf)ite  of  a  host  ol"  difBculties,  I  have  gained  my 
point  ;  and  should  (he  Work  be  continufMl  in  the  style  it  has  been  begun,  I  have 
no  doiibt  but  we  may  increase  the  copies  to  four  hundred  I  have  endeavored 
|.)  find  persons  of  respi'ctability  in  each  town,  who  will  receive  and  deliver  tho 
volumes,  without  recompense,  any  further  than  allowing  them  to  make  the  first 
selection.     By  this  means  tho  rapacity  of  »ome  booksellers  will  be  avoided. 

•'  The  weather  has  been  extremely  warm  these  ten  days,  tho  thernjoinet'T 
stooil  in  the  shade  on  Friday  and  Saturday  last,  at  TS"  and  7i>°.  I  have  seen 
no  frost  since  the  5th  of  February.  The  lew  gardens  here  arc  as  green  and 
luxuriant  as  ours  aro  in  summer — full  of  flowering  shrubbery,  and  surrounded 
with  groves  of  orange  trees,  fifteen  and  twenty  feet  high',  loaded  with  fruit 

Vol..  I,— E 


]ll 


Ixvi 


LIFE    OF    WILSON. 


The  streets  are  deep  beds  of  heavy  sand,  without  the  accommodation  of  a  foot 
r>avemeDt.  I  most  sincerely  hope  that  I  may  be  able  to  return  home  by  water; 
if  not,  I  shall  iroubic  you  with  one  letter  more." 

To  Mb.  William  Bartham. 

"  Savannah,  March  5th,  1809. 
"  Three  months,  my  dear  friend,  are  passed  since  i  parted  from  you  in 
Kingsess.  I  have  been  travelling  ever  since ;  and  one  half  of  my  journey  is 
yet  to  be  performed — but  that  half  i.s  homewards,  and  through  old  Neptune's 
dominions,  where  I  trust  I  shall  not  be  long  detained.  This  has  been  the  most 
arduous,  expensi-e,  and  fatiguing  expedition  I  ever  undertook.  I  have,  how- 
ever, gained  my  point  in  procuring  two  hundred  and  fifty  subscribers,  in  all, 
for  my  Ornithology;  and  a  great  nuL^s  of  information  respecting  the  birds  that 
winter  in  the  southern  states,  and  some  '.iiat  never  visit  the  middle  states;  and 
this  information  I  have  derived  personally,  and  can  therefore  the  more  certainly 
depend  upon  it.  I  have,  also,  found  several  new  birds,  of  which  I  can  find 
no  account  in  Linneus.     All  these  things  we  will  talk  over  when  we  meet. 

«  *  41  * 

"  I  visited  a  great  number  of  the  rich  planters  on  the  rivers  Santee  and 
Pedee,  and  w.ih  much  struck  with  the  miserable  swavnis  of  negroes  around 
them.  In  these  rice  plantations,  there  are  great  numbers  of  birds,  never  sup- 
posed to  winter  so  far  north,  and  their  tamcness  surprised  me.  There  are  also 
many  here  that  never  visit  Pennsylvania.  Round  Georgetown  I  also  visited 
several  rich  planters,  all  of  whom  entertained  me  hospitably.  I  spent  ten 
days  in  (!h;irlest4)n,  still,  in  every  place  where  I  stopped  a  day  or  two,  making 
excursions  with  my  gun. 

"  On  the  commons,  near  Charleston,  I  presided  at  a  singular  feast.  The 
company  consisted  of  two  hundred  and  thirty-seven  Carrion  Crows  (  Vullnr 
atratux),  five  or  six  dogs,  and  myself,  though  I  only  kept  order,  and  left  the 
eating  part  entirely  to  the  others.  I  sat  so  near  to  the  dead  horse,  that  my 
feet  touched  his,  and  yet  at  one  time  I  counted  thirty-eight  vultures  on  and 
within  him.  so  that  hardly  an  inch  of  his  flesh  couid  be  seen  for  them.  Lin- 
neus aud  others  have  confounded  this  Vulture  with  the  Turkey  Buizard,  but 
they  are  two  very  distinct  species. 

"  As  far  north  ns  Wilmington,  in  North  Carolina,  I  met  with  the  Ivory- 
billed  WtMidpecker.  I  killed  two,  and  winged  a  male,  who  alarmed  the  whole 
town  of  Wilmington,  screeming  exactly  like  a  young  child  crying  vinl,>ntlv, 
BO  that  everybody  supposed  I  had  a  baby  under  the  apron  of  my  chair,  till  I 
to<ik  out  the  bird  to  prevent  the  peojile  from  stopping  nie.  This  binl  I  ('(in- 
filled in  tht!  room  I  was  to  sleep  in,  and  in  less  than  half  an  hour  ho  made  his 
way  through  the  pla.ster,  the  lath,  and  partly  through  the  weather  boards; 
and  would  have  escaped,  if  I  haci  not  accidentally  come  in.  The  common 
people  cont'iiund  the  1'.  principulis  awl  P.  pilrutut  together. 

*  *  *  * 

"  I  am  utterly  at  a  loss  in  my  wood  rambles  here,  for  there  arc  so  many 
trees,  shrubs,  plants,  and  insects,  that  F  know  nothing  of  There  are  immense 
quantities  of  elegant  butterflies,  aud  other  singular  insects.      I  luct  with  • 


[■  r  \ 


LIFE    OF    WILSON. 


Ixvii 


j^rasshopper  so  big  tluit  I  took  it  for  a  bird ;  settles  upon  trees  and  busliea,  I 
have  kept  a  record  of  a'!  the  birds  which  I  have  seen  or  shot  since  I  left  home. 

"  This  journey  will  be  of  much  use  to  me,  as  I  have  formed  acquaintance  in 
almost  every  place  who  are  able  to  transmit  me  information.  Great  numbers 
of  our  summer  birds  are  already  here ;  and  many  are  usually  here  all  winter. 

"  There  is  a  Mr.  Abbot  here,  who  has  resided  in  Georgia  thirty-three  years, 
drawing  insects  and  birds.  I  have  been  on  several  excursions  with  him.  He 
is  a  very  good  observer,  and  paints  well.  He  has  published,  in  London,  one 
liirgo  folio  volume  of  the  Lepidoptcrous  Insects  of  Georgia.  It  is  a  very 
splendid  work.  There  is  only  one  vessel  here  bound  to  New  York  ;  she  sails 
some  time  next  week,  and  I  shall  take  my  passage  in  her.  I  caught  a  fever 
here  by  getting  wet;  I  hope  the  sea  air,  and  sea-sickness,  will  carry  it  off." 

"  Savannah,  March  8th,  1809. 
"  Dear  Sir. 

"  Having  now  visited  l  '  the  towns  within  one  hundred  miles  of  the  Atlantic, 
from  Maine  to  Georgia,  and  done  as  much  for  this  bantling  book  of  mine  as 
ever  author  din  for  any  progeny  of  hi.s  brain,  I  now  turn  my  wishful  eye  to- 
wards home.  There  is  a  charm,  a  melody  in  this  little  word  home,  which  only 
those  know,  who  have  forsaken  it  to  wander  among  strangers,  exposed  to  dan- 
gers, fatigues,  insults  and  impo-sitions,  of  a  thousand  nameless  kinds.  I'erhaps 
I  feel  the  force  of  this  idea  rather  more  at  present  than  usual,  being  indispo.ied 
with  a  slight  fever  these  three  days,  which  a  dose  of  sea-sickness  will,  I  hope, 
rid  me  of.  The  weather  since  my  arrival  in  this  place  has  been  extremely 
warm  for  the  season.  The  wind  generally  southwest,  and  the  thermometer 
ranging  between  75  and  ^2.  To  me  it  feels  more  intolerable  than  our  sum- 
mer heat  in  I'liiladelphia.  The  streets  of  Savannah  are  also  mere  beds  of 
burning  sand,  without  even  a  foot  pavement;  and  until  one  learns  to  traverse 
tlioni  with  both  eyes  and  mouth  shut,  both  are  plentifully  filled  with  showers 
and  whirlwinds  of  sand.  I  was  longer  detained  in  Charleston  than  I  expected, 
partly  oti  account  of  the  races,  which  ocupied  the  minds  of  many  I  wished 
til  visit,  to  the  exclusion  of  everything  else.  At  luiie  they  were  in  bed;  at 
ten  breakfasting — dressing  nt  eleven — gone  out  at  noon,  and  not  visible  again 
until  ten  next  njnrning.  I  met,  however,  with  some  oxoillent  exceptions,  among 
the  first  ranks  of  society,  anil  my  work  excited  universal  admiration.  Dr.  D. 
introduced  it  very  handsomely  into  the  Courier. 

"  The  indolence,  want  of  energy,  and  dissipation,  of  the  wealthy  part  of  the 
community  in  that  place,  are  truly  ennteniptiblo.  The  superal.iindance  of  no- 
gnx's  in  the  snuthern  states  has  destroyed  the  activity  of  the  whites  The 
carpenter,  bricklayer,  and  even  the  blacksnuth.  stand  wiih  their  hands  in  their 
poeket-M.  overlooking  their  negroes.  The  jilanter  orders  his  servant  to  tell  the 
overseer  to  see  my  horse  fed  and  taken  care  of;  the  overseer  sends  another 
negro  to  tell  the  driver  to  send  or  .  of  his  hai.aJ  to  do  it.  Hefore  half  of  this 
routine  is  gone  through,  I  have  myself  unharnes.sed,  rubbed  down,  and  fed 
my  horse.  Kverything  must  l>e  dotie  through  the  agcmy  of  these  slovenly 
blacks.  ♦  *  *  These,  however,  are  not  one-tenth  of  the  curses  slavery  haa 
brought  on  the  southern  states.     Nothing  has  surprised  mo  more  than  the 


TI^'    -I 


iPr^' 


f:f 


Ixviii 


LIFE   OF    WILSON. 


1 


4i' 


*astim 


colli  niolancholy  reserve  of  the  feniales,  of  the  best  familiea,  in  South  Carolina 
and  Georgia.  Old  and  young,  single  and  married,  all  have  that  dull  frigid  in- 
aipidity.  and  reserve,  which  is  attributed  to  solitary  old  maids.  Even  in  their 
own  houses  they  scarce  utter  anything  to  a  stranger  but  yes  or  no,  and  one  is 
perpetually  puzzled  to  know  whether  it  proceeds  from  awkwardness  or  dislike. 
Those  who  have  been  at  some  of  their  balls  say  that  the  ladies  hardly  ever 
speak  or  suiile,  but  dance  with  as  much  gravity  aa  if  they  were  performing 
jonio  ceremony  of  devotion.  On  the  contrary,  the  negro  wenches  are  all 
aprightliness  and  gayetyj  nnd  if  report  be  not  a  defamer — {here,  there  is  a 
hiatus  in  the  manuscript)  which  render  the  men  collous  to  all  the  finer  sensa- 
tions of  love,  and  female  excellence. 

"  I  will  not  detain  you  by  a  reciUil  of  my  journey  from  Charleston  to  Savan- 
nah. In  crossing  the  Savannah  river,  at  a  place  called  the  Two  Sisters'  Ferry, 
my  horse  threw  himself  into  the  torrent,  and  had  I  not,  at  the  risk  of  my  own 
life,  rescued  him,  would  have  been  drowned." 

Of  the  first  volume  of  the  Ornithology,  only  two  hundred  copies  had  been 
printed.  But  it  was  now  thought  expedient  to  strike  off  n  new  edition  of  three 
hundred  more;  as  the  increasing  approbation  of  the  public  warranted  the 
expectiition  of  corresponding  support. 

»<    (■  . 

To  Mr.  Wm.  Bautuam. 

"  Piiii.ADEi.rniA,  August  4th,  1809. 
"  The  second  volume  of  '  American  Ornithology'  being  now  nearly  ready  to 
go  to  press,  and  the  plates  in  considerable  forwardness,  you  will  permit  me  to 
trespa.ss  on  your  time,  for  a  few  nioment.s,  by  ini)uiring  if  you  have  anything 
interesting  to  add  to  the  history  of  the  following  birds,  the  figures  of  which 
will  be  found  in  this  volume. 

*  *  *  *     ,  #.  #  ■ 

"  I  have  myself  already  said  everything  of  the  foregoing  that  my  own  ob- 
servations suggested,  or  that  I  have  been  enabled  to  collect  fmm  those  on 
whom  I  cuiild  rely.  As  it  has  fallen  to  my  lot  to  be  the  biographer  of  the 
feathered  tribes  of  the  United  States,  I  am  solicitous  to  do  full  justice  to  every 
species;  and  I  wouM  not  conceal  one  good  (|uality  that  any  one  of  them  pos- 
»e«.ses  I  have  i)aid  jiarticular  attention  to  the  mocking-bird,  uniuiing-bird, 
king-bird  and  cat-bird;  all  the  principal  trait.s  in  their  character  I  have  deli- 
ne.ited  at  full.  If  you  have  anything  tu  add  on  either  of  them,  I  wish  you 
would  eouimunicate  it  in  the  form  of  a  letter,  adilresseil  particularly  In  u\i>. 
Your  favorable  opinion  of  my  work  (if  such  you  have)  wnuld,  if  publicly 
knnwM.  be  of  infitiite  service  to  mo,  nnd  procure  me  many  friends.* 


*  This  in^innce  of  WiUon't  'iiffidcnco  of  his  own  ulcnta  and  aoi)uironicnt«  it  too  re- 
markiiblf  to  l)e  passed  over  without  a  note.  He  ncemcil  to  fear  lent  tin;  iiitrinsir  merit  of 
hill  work  xhoiilii  not  W'  sutflcient,  of  itself,  to  (fet  it  into  notice  ;  anil  therefore  he  Holicited 
the  ''Kvornhle  opinion  uf  one,  to  whose  juil^'inent  in  thene  matters,  ho  felt  iiioiureil,  th« 
puhlic  pniil  a  ilcferenec.  Contranteil  with  this  moilcnt  deportment,  how  rontomptihle  in  the 
vanity,  and  sclf-conecit,  of  those  writers,  who,  whether  they  compote  a  tupcrtiuial  etiay, 


LIFE    OF    WILSON. 


Ixix 


"  I  assure  you,  my  dear  friend,  that  this  undertaking  has  involved  me  in 
many  difficulties  and  expenses  which  I  never  dreamt  of;*  and  I  have  never 
yet  received  one  cent  from  it.  I  am,  therefore,  a  volunteer  in  the  cause  of 
Natural  History,  impelled  by  nobler  views  than  those  of  money.  The  second 
volume  will  be  ready  for  delivery  on  the  first  of  January  next.  I  hare  re- 
ceived communications  from  many  different  parts  of  the  United  States;  with 
some  drawings,  and  offers  of  more.  But  these  are  rarely  executed  with  such 
precision  as  is  necessary  for  a  work  of  this  kind. 

"  Let  me  know  if  you  have  ever  seen  the  nest  of  Cat«sby's  cowpen-binl.  T 
have  every  reason  to  believe  that  this  bird  never  builds  itself  a  nest,  but,  like 
the  cuckoo  of  Europe,  drops  its  eggs  into  the  nests  of  other  birds ;  and  leaves 
the  result  to  their  mercy  and  management.  I  have  found  no  less  than  sis  nests 
this  season,  with  each  a  young  cow-bird  contained  in  it.  One  of  these,  which  I 
had  found  in  the  nest  of  tlio  Maryland  yellow-throat,  and  which  occupied  the 
whole  nest,  I  brought  home,  and  put  it  into  the  cage  of  a  crested  red-bird,  who 
became  its  foster-father,  and  fed,  and  reared  it,  with  great  affection.  It  begins 
to  chant  a  little. 

"  I  have  just  heard  from  our  old  friend  M*  *.  lie  has  not  yet  published 
the  first  number  of  his  work  ;  and  Bonaparte  has  been  so  busy  with  cutting 
throats,  and  building  bridges,  in  the  forests  of  Austria,  that  the  Inspector  of 
the  Forests  of  France  has  not  yet  received  his  appointment." 

To  Mr.  W.m.  Bartram. 

"October  11th,  1809. 

"Thanks  for  your  bird,  so  neatly  stuffed,  that  I  was  just  about  to  skin  it. 
It  is  the  Ritllm  vinfiniiinus  of  Turton,  and  agrees  exactly  with  his  description. 
The  one  in  company  was  probably  the  female.  Turton  mentions  four  species 
OS  inhabitants  of  the  United  States.  I  myself  have  seen  six.  Mr.  Abbot  of 
Savnnnah  showed, me  two  new  species.  I  found  the  sora,  as  the  Virginians 
call  it,  in  tho  rice  flats  near  Savannah,  in  March.  General  Wilkinson  told  me 
that  the  sora  was  in  multitudes  at  Detroit.  Query — don't  you  think  they 
breed  in  the  north,  like  the  riccbirds?  Are  not  the  European  naturulista 
mistaken  in  saying  that  the  reed-birds  or  rice-birds  piuis  /mm  the  island  of 
Cuba,  in  September,  to  Carolina?     All  the  Spaniards  with  whom  I  have  eon- 


for  the  transnctior.s  of  n  lenmed  society,  or  compile  a  Imld  and  meaRro  pamphlet,  present 
themselves  before  the  publlr  with  an  niriif  iinpuaaneo,  whieh  slumlil  seem  to  oV muni/ that 
CDuntcnanco  and  applnuao,  as  a  matter  of  right,  which  true  merit  humbly  reijuesla  at  a 
favor  ! 

•  Tho  K^cnt  expense  of  tho  publication  prevented  the  author  from  giving;  all  his  pl.ttes 
that  tini<h  which  his  tiiste  and  juilj;iiient  would  hnvc  npprovcd  ;  but  tlint  in  some  iustmices 
extriionliuHry  piiins  wore  t)est(iweil  upon  them,  a  cursory  gliince  will  render  evident.  I 
have  Mr.  r.awKon'a  authority  for  asserting,  that,  ko  anxious  was  ho  to  encourage  his  friend, 
frequently  after  computing  the  time  spent  upon  perfecting  his  work,  ho  found  his  reward 
did  not  amount  to  more  lhnii./i7\v  rcHf.'i  per  iluy. 

From  a  note  to  this  gentleman,  I  make  the  I'oUiiwing  extract,  relating  to  tho  Imld  eagle : 
"  I  hope  you  g.   on  oourageous'ly  with  the  eagle  ;  let  no  expense  deter  you  from  giving 
it  tho  freest  ami  most  masterly  touches  of  your  graver.     I  think  we  shall  be  able  to  ofTHr 
it  M  a  com|K!titor  with  the  best  that  this  country  or  Europe  ran  produce." 


Ixx 


LIFE    OF    WILSON. 


versed,  say  that  these  bir.b  arc  scud  in  Cuba,  early  in  the  spring  only,  ana 
again  iu  October.  And  the  people  of  the  distri.-t  of  Maine,  of  all  the  New 
Kngland  states,  and  those  who  have  lived  on  the  river  Illinois,  declare  that 
these  birds  breed  there  in  vast  numbers. 

"  I  have  many  times  been  told  that  our  small  snow-bird  {frinyiUa  hiuhonia) 
breeds  in  the  (ireat  Swamp,  which  I  can  hardly  believe.  When  I  was  in 
Williaasburg,  Virginia,  Hishop  Madison  told  me  of  a  mountain,  in  the  interior 
of  that  state,  where  they  bred  in  multitudes.  I  have  lately  had  the  most  po.si- 
tive  assurances  from  a  gentleman  who  lived  <ui  the  ranges  of  the  Alleghany, 
about  two  hundred  and  fifty  miles  distant,  that  he  saw  them  there  four  months 
ago;  and  that  they  built  their  nests  almost  everywhere  among  the  long  grass. 
He  said  he  took  particular  notice  of  them,  as  ho  had  heard  it  said  down  here, 
that  they  changed  to  chippiiig-.sparrows  in  summer.  What  think  you  of  these 
mattijrs?" 

To^^Iii.  W.M.  IJautuam. 

"Puii..M>Ki,ruiA,  November  11th,  1809. 
"  Dear  Sir. 

"  Since  I  parted  from  you  yesterday  evening,  1  have  ruminated  a  great  deal 
on  my  pr  ised  journey ;  I  have  considered  the  advantages  and  disadvantages 
of  the  three  modes  of  proceeding:  on  horseback — in  the  stage-coach,  and  on 
foot.  Taking  everything  into  view,  I  have  at  length  determined  to  adopt  the 
last,  as  being  the  cheapest,  the  Wat  adapted  for  examining  the  country  we  pa.<<8 
through ;  the  most  favorable  to  health ;  and,  in  short,  except  for  its  fatigues, 
the  best  mode  for  a  .«eientifie  traveller  or  n:iturali,-it,  in  every  point  of  view.  I 
have  also  thought  that  by  tiiis  delerminiition  I  will  be  so  happy  as  to  secure 
your  cnipany,  for  which  I  would  willingly  sustain  us  much  hardship,  and  as 
many  deprivations,  as  I  am  able  to  bear. 

"  If  this  determination  should  meet  your  approbation,  and  if  you  are  willing 
to  encounter  the  hardships  of  such  a  ])edehtrian  journey,  let  nie  know  jus  soon 
aa  is  convenient.  1  think  one  dollar  a  day,  each,  will  bo  fully  sufficient  for  our 
expenses,  by  a  strict  regard,  at  all  times,  to  economy." 

The  second  volunu;  of  the  Ornithology  was  published  in  January,  1810  ;  and 
Wilson  set  out  for  Pittsburgh,  the  latter  jiart  of  the  same  month,  in  his  route 
to  New  Orleans  I  triist  that  no  »•  ology  is  neces.sary  for  introducing  the  fol- 
lowing letters,  addressed  to  Mr.  Lawson,  into  these  memoirs,  notwithstanding 
tK"ce  of  them  are  well  known  to  the  public,  having  originally  appeared  in  the 
Pi  ft  Folio.* 

To  Mil.  Alexandkk  Lawson. 

"  PiTTSBiiHou,  February  2'2d,  IHIO. 
••  rter.r  Sir. 

"  From  this  Jtmt  stiige  of  my  Ornithological  pilgrimage,  I  sit  down,  with 
pleasure,  to  give  yen  some  account  of  my  ailventures  since  we  parted.  On 
arriving  at  Lancaster,  1  waited  on  the  governor,  secretary  of  state,  and  such 
other  great  folks  as  were  likely  to  be  useful  to  me.     The  governor  received  uio 

•  New  SeriM,  voli.  III.,  49!»,  IV.;  .'JIO,  Vll.,  34. 


' 

m 

! 

i 

'*m 

1 

j  i' 

LIFE   OF    WILSON. 


IxXi 


with  civility,  passed  soino  good-natured  conipliuientA  on  the  volumes,  and 
readily  added  his  name  to  my  lisU  Ho  seems  an  active  mun,  of  plain  good 
Hcn8&  and  little  ceremony.  Hy  Mr.  L.  I  was  introduced  to  many  members  of 
both  houses,  but  I  found  them,  in  general,  such  a  pitiful,  sciuabblin^',  political 
mob;  so  split  up,  and  justling  about  the  mere  formalities  of  legislation,  with- 
out knowing  anything  of  its  realities,  that  I  abandoned  them  in  disgust.  I 
niuft,  however,  except  from  thi.i  censure  a  few  intelligent  individuals,  friends 
1*)  science,  and  possessed  of  taste,  who  treated  me  with  great  ki'.dness.  On 
Friday  evening  I  set  out  for  Columbia,  where  I  spent  one  day  in  vain.  I 
cros.sed  the  Susquehanna  on  Sunday  forenoon,  with  some  difficulty,  having  to 
cut  our  way  through  the  ice  for  several  hundred  yards;  and  passing  on  to  York, 
paid  my  respects  to  all  the  literati  of  that  place  without  success.  Five  miles 
north  of  this  town  lives  a  very  eslraordinary  character,  between  eighty  and 
ninety  years  of  ago,  who  has  lived  by  trapping  birds  and  (juadrupeds  thesu 
thirty  years.  Dr.  F.  carried  uie  out  in  a  sleigh  to  see  him,  and  presented  mo 
with  a  tolerably  good  full  length  figure  of  him ;  he  has  also  promised  to  trans- 
mit to  me  such  a  collection  of  facts  relative  to  this  singular  original,  as  will 
enable  me  to  draw  up  an  interesting  narrative  of  him  for  the  Port  Folio.  I 
carried  him  half  a  pound  of  snuff,  of  which  ho  is  insatiably  fond,  taking  it  by 
handfuls.  I  w.as  much  diverted  with  the  astonislmient  he  expressed  on  looking 
at  the  plates  of  my  work — he  could  tell  me  anecdotes  of  the  greater  part  of  tho 
subjects  of  the  first  volume,  and  some  of  the  second.  One  of  his  traps,  which 
he  says  he  invented  himself,  is  remarkable  for  ingenuity,  and  extremely  simple. 
Having  a  letter  from  Dr.  Muhlenberg  to  a  clergyman  in  Hanover,  I  passed  on 
through  a  well  cultivated  country,  chiefly  inhabited  by  (Jermans,  to  that  place, 
'ffhere  a  certain  judge  took  upon  himself  to  say,  that  such  a  book  as  mine 
ought  not  to  he  encnuroijvd,  a»  it  tcti»  not  irilhin  the  re<uh  of  the.  ctmimonality  ; 
and  thcrrftirt  imongisti'nt  with  our  vfjjiililiriin  insliltttiong  !  Hy  the  same  mode 
of  reasoning,  which  I  did  not  dispute,  I  undertook  to  prove  him  a  greater 
culprit  than  niy.self,  in  erecting  a  largo,  elegant,  three-story  brick  house,  m 
much  beyond  the  reach  of  the  cuntmounlifi/,  as  he  called  them,  and  conse- 
<|U('iitly  grosslv  contrary  to  our  republican  institutions.  I  harangued  this 
Solomon  of  the  Bench  more  seriously  afterwards,  pointing  out  to  him  the  great 
influence  of  science  on  a  young  rising  nation  like  ours,  and  particularly  tho 
cciencc  of  Natural  History,  till  he  began  to  show  such  .symptom.*  of  intdkct,  aa 
U)  seem  ashamed  of  what  he  had  said. 

"  From  Hanover  I  passed  thr'iugh  a  thinly  inhabited  country;  and  crossing 
the  North  Mountain,  at  a  pifs  called  Newman's  (Jap,  arrived  at  Chainbersburg, 
whence  I  next  niorning  returned  to  Carlisle,  to  visit  tho  reverend  doctors  of 
the  college.      *     •      ♦     * 

•'Tlie  towns  of  ('hambersburg  and  Shippensburg  produced  me  trnthing.  On 
Siiiuiay.  tho  11th,  I  lefl  the  former  of  these  places  in  the  stagecoach  ;  and  in 
fiftcoD  miles  began  to  ascend  tho  Alpine  regions  of  the  Alleghany  mountains, 
where  aiiove.  around,  and  below  us,  nuthing  appeared  but  prodigious  declivities, 
covered  with  wtsxls  ;  and,  i  be  weather  being  fine,  such  a  profound  silence 
prevailed  among  these  aerial  solitudes,  aa  impressed  tho  soul  with  awe,  and  a 
kind  of  fearful  sublimity      Something  of  this  arose  from  my  being  alone,  hay 


»*iUi■■'^■'*'' 


m 


Ixxii 


LIFE    OF    WILSON. 


•K 


'    i 


ing  loft  the  coach  several  miles  below.     These  high  ranges  continued  for  more 

than  one  hundred  miles  to  (ireensburg,   thirty-two  miles  from  Pittsburgh; 

thence  the  country  is  nothing  but  an  assemblage  of  steep  hills,  and  deep  valleys, 

descending  rapidly  till  you  reach   within  seven  miles  of  this  place,  where  I 

arrived  on  the  15th  instant.     We  were  within  two  miles  of  Pittsburgh,  when 

suddenly  the  road  descends  a  long  and  very  steep  hill,  where  the  Alleghany 

river  is  seen  at  hand,  on  the  right,  stretching  almig  a  rich  bottom,  and  bounded 

by  a  high  ridge  of  hills  on  the  west.     After  following  tliis  road,  parallel  with 

the  river,  and  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  from  it,  through  a  rich  low  valley,  a 

eloud  of  black  smoke,  at  it,s  extremity,  announced  the  town  of  Pittsburgh.     On- 

arriving  at  the  town,  which  stands  on  a  low  flat,  and  looks  like  a  collection  of 

blacksmith's  sli^ip,"*,  gla.sshouses,  breweries,  forges  and   furnaces,   the  .Mcmon- 

gahela  opened  to  the  view,  on  the  left,  running  along  the  bottom  of  a  range  of 

hills  so  high  that  the  sun,  at  this  season,  sets  to  the  town  of  Pittsburgh  at  a 

little  past  four  :  this  range  continues  along  the  Ohio  a.s  far  a.i  the  view  reaches. 

The  ice  had  just  begun  to  give  way  in  the   Monongahela,  and  came  down  in 

vast  bodies  for  the  three  following  days.     It  has  now  begun  in  the  Alleghany, 

and,  at  the  moment  I  write,  the  river  presents  a  white  mass  of  rushing  ice. 

"  The  country  beyond  the  Ohio,  to  the  west,  appears  a  mountainous  and 
hilly  region.  The  Monongahela  is  lined  with  arks,  usually  called  Kentucky, 
boats,  waiting  for  the  rising  of  the  river,  and  the  absence  of  the  ice,  to  dcsoend. 
A  perspective  view  of  the  town  of  Piltwburgh  at  this  season,  with  the  numerous 
arks  and  covered  keel-boats  preparing  to  descend  the  Ohio;  its  hills,  its  great 
rivers — the  pillars  of  smoke  rising  from  its  furnaces  and  glas-s-works — would 
make  a  noble  picture.  I  began  a  very  diligent  .search  in  this  place,  the  d.iy 
after  my  arrival,  for  subscribers,  and  continued  it  for  four  days.  1  succeeded 
beyond  expectation,  having  got  nineteen  names  of  the  most  wealthy  and 
respectable  part  of  the  inhabitantji.  The  industry  of  Pittsburgh  is  remarkable ; 
everybody  you  see  is  busy  ;  and  as  a  proof  of  the  prosperity  of  the  place,  an 
eminent  lawyer  told  me  that  there  has  not  been  one  suit  instituted  against  a 
merchant  of  the  town  these  three  years. 

****** 

"  Oeotlcnien  here  assure  mo  that  the  road  to  Chilicotho  is  impa-ssable  on 
foot  by  reason  of  the  freshets.  I  have  therefore  resolved  to  navigate  myself  a 
small  skiff,  which  I  have  bought,  and  named  the  OR.MTllOLoriiisT,  down  to 
Cincinnati,  a  distance  of  five  hundred  and  twenty-eight  miles;  intending  to 
visit  five  or  six  towns  that  lie  in  my  way.  From  Cincinnati  I  will  cross  over 
to  the  opposite  shore,  and,  abandoning  my  boat,  make  my  way  to  Lexington, 
where  I  expect  to  be  ere  your  letter  can  reach  that  place.  Were  I  to  go  by 
Chilicothe,  I  should  ini.-^s  five  towns,  as  large  as  it.  Home  cay  that  1  ought 
not  to  attempt  going  down  by  myself — others  think  I  may.  I  am  delermimd 
to  niake  the  cx{ierinicnt,  the  expense  of  hiring  a  rower  being  considerable.  As 
soon  as  the  ice  clears  out  of  the  Alleghany,  and  the  weather  will  jHTUiit,  I  shall 
shove  off,  having  "rything  in  readiness.  I  have  ransacked  the  woods  and 
fields  here  with  ending  u  single  bird  new  to  me,  or  indetMl  anything  but  a 
few  Huow-birds  ./  >;iarrows.  I  expect  to  have  something  interesting  to  coin- 
muni'.aie  in  my  ni.    : 

**«****«>* 


LIFE    OF    WILSON. 


Ixxiii 


"  My  friends  will  please  accept  through  you  my  best  wishes  and  kindest 
respects;  and  I  regret  that  while  the  grand  spectacle  of  mountains,  regions 
of  expanded  forests,  glittering  towns,  and  noble  rivers,  are  passing  in  rapid 
succession  befortf  my  delighted  view,  they  are  not  beside  mo  to  enjoy  the  vary- 
ing scenery;  but  as  far  as  my  pen  will  enable  mc,  I  will  freely  share  it  with 
them,  and  remember  th<:m  affectionately  until  I  forget  wt/se//. 

"  I'ebruary  23d.  My  baggage  is  on  board — I  have  just  to  despatch  this 
and  set  off.  The  weather  is  fine,  and  I  have  no  doubt  of  piloting  my  skiflf  ia 
safety  to  Cincinnati.     Farewell !     God  bless  you !" 


To  Mu.  Alexander  Lawson. 

"  Lexinqton,  April  4th,  1810. 
"  My  Dear  Sir. 

"  Having  now  reached  the  second  stage  of  my  bird-catching  expedition,  I 
willingly  sit  down  to  give  you  some  account  of  my  adveistures  and  remarks  since 
leaving  Pittsburgh  ;  by  the  aid  of  a  good  map,  and  your  asual  stock  of  patience, 
you  will  be  able  to  listen  to  my  .story,  and  trace  all  my  wanderings.     Though 
generally  dissuaded  tVotu  venturing  by  myself  on  so  long  a  voyage  down  the 
Ohio,  in  an  open  skiff,  I  considered  this  mode,  with  all  its  inconveniences,  as 
the  most  favorable  to  my  researches,  and  the  most  suitjible  to  my  funds,  and  I 
determined  accordingly.     Two  days  before  my  departure,  the  Alleghany  river 
was  one  wide  torrent  of  broken  ice,  and  I  calculated  on  experiencing  consider- 
able difficulties  on  this  score.     My  stock  of  provisions  consisted  of  .some  biscuit 
and  cheese,  and  a  bottle  of  cordial  presented  me  by  a  gentleman  of  Pittsburgh  ;    , 
my  gun,  trunk,  and  great-cout,  occupied  one  end  of  the  boat;  I  had  a  small 
tin  occasionally  to  bale   her,  and   to  take  my  beverage  from  the  Ohio  with ; 
and,  bidding  adieu  to  the  smoky  confines  of  Pitt,  i.  launched  into  the  stream, 
and  soon  winded  away  among  the  hillM  that  everywhere  enclose  this  noble  river. 
The  weather  was  warm  and  serene,  and  the  river  like  a  mirror,  except  where 
floating  masses  of  iee  spotted  its  surfaee,  and  which  rctjuired  some  care  to  steer 
clear  of;  but  these,  to  my  surprise,  in   less  than  a  day's   sailing,  totally  dis- 
appeared.    Far  from  being  concerned  at  my  new  situation,  I  felt  my  heart 
expand   with    jny   at  the    novelties   which   surrounded   me;    I   listened   with 
pleasure!  to  the  whistling  of  the  Iled-bird  on  the  banks  as  I   passed,  and  con- 
templated  the  forest  scenery  as  it  receded,  with    increasing  delight.     The 
smoke  of  the  numeruus  sugar  camps,  rising  lazily  among  the  mountains,  gave 
great  effect  to  the  varying  land.seape ;  and  the  grotes(|ue  log  cabins,  that  here 
and  there  opened  from  the  woods,  were  diminished  into  mere  dog-houses  by  the 
BubliiMJIy  of  the  impending  mountains.     If  you  suppose  to  yourself  two  parallel 
nmges  of  forest-eovered  hills,  wlmse  irregular  summits  are  seldom  more  than 
three  or  fuur  miles  ajmrt,  winding  through  an  inimensu  extent  of  country,  and 
enilosing  a  river  half  a  mile  wide,  which  alternately  washes  the  steep  declivity 
on  one  side,  and  lavi-s  a  rich,  flat,  forest-elad  liiittum  on  the  other,  of  a  mile  or 
so   in   breadth,  you  will   have  a  pretty  curreet   idea  of  the   appeurauee  of  the 
Ohio.     Tlio  banks  of  these  rich  flat.s  are  from  twenty  to  sixty  and  eighty  feet 
high,  and  even  these  la.st  were  within  a  few  feet  of  being  overflowed  in  Decern- 
bor,  1808. 


rf 


Ixxiv 


LIFE    OF    WILSON. 


"  I  now  stripped,  with  alacrity,  to  uiy  new  avocation.  Tlio  current  wont 
about  two  rnd  a  half  uiiles  an  hour,  and  I  added  about  three  and  a  half  miles 
more  to  the  boat's  way  with  my  oara.  In  the  course  of  the  day  I  passed  a 
number  of  arks,  or,  as  they  are  usually  called,  Kentucky  boats,  loaded  with 
what  it  must  bo  acknowledged  are  the  most  valuable  commodities  of  a  country  ; 
viz.,  men,  women  and  children,  horses  and  ploughs,  flour,  millstones,  &c.  Several 
of  these  floating  caravans  were  loaded  with  store  poods  for  the  s\ipply  of  the 
settlement*  through  which  they  pa.ssed,  having  a. counter  erected,  shawls,  mus- 
lins, itc,  displayed,  and  everything  ready  for  transacting  business.  Ou 
approaching  a  settlement  they  blow  a  horn  or  tin  trumpet,  which  announces  to 
the  inhubitanta  their  arrival.  I  boarded  many  of  these  arks,  and  felt  much 
iiitercsteJ  at  the  sight  of  so  many  human  beings,  migrating  like  birds  of  pa.ss- 
age  to  tl  e  luxuriant  regions  of  the  south  and  west.  The  arks  are  built  in  the 
form  of  a  parallelogram,  being  from  twelve  to  fourteen  feet  wide,  and  from 
forty  to  seventy  feet  long,  covered  above,  rowed  only  occasionally  by  two  oars 
before,  and  steered  by  a  long  and  powerful  one  fixed  above,  as  in  the  annexed 
sketch. 

Ark. 


Burgt  for  pafuiuj  up  ot riant. 


"  The  barges  are  taken  up  along  shore  by  setting  poles,  at  the  rate  tif  twenty 
miles  or  BO  a  day ;  the  arks  co.st  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  cents  p(!r  foot, 
according  to  their  length;  and  whin  tlicy  reach  tluir  i>laccs  of  destination, 
seldom  bring  more  than  one-sixth  their  original  co.st.  These  arks  descend 
from  all  parts  of  the  Ohio  and  its  tributary  streams,  the  Alleghany,  Monon- 
gahela,  Mu.<kinguni,  Heiota,  Miami,  Kentucky,  Wabash,  kc,  in  the  months  of 
March,  April,  and  May  particularly,  with  goods,  produce,  and  emigrants,  the 
two  former  for  niarkcta  along  the  river,  or  at  New  Orleans;  the  latter  for 
various  parts  of  Kentucky,  Ohio,  and  the  Indiana  Territory.  I  now  return  to 
my  own  expedition.  I  rowed  twenty  odd  mil<  ilie  first  spell,  and  found  I 
should  be  able  to  sUmd  it  perfectly  well.  About  an  hour  after  night  I  put  up 
at  a  miserable  cabin,  fifty-two  miles  from  I'itt.sburgh,  where  I  slept  on  what  I 
supposed  to  bo  corn-stalkia,  or  something  worse;  so,  preferring  the  smooth 
bosom  of  the  Ohio  to  this  hruih  heap,  I  got  up  long  before  day,  and,  being 
under  no  apprehension  of  losing  my  way,  I  again  pushed  out  into  the  stream. 
The  landscape  on  each  side  lay  in  one  mass  of  shadt!,  but  the  grandeur  of  the 
projecting  headlands  and  vanishing  points,  or  lines,  was  charmingly  reflected 
in  the  smootli  glassy  surface  below.  1  could  only  discover  when  I  was  passing 
a  cleiring,  by  the  crowing  of  cocks;  and  now  and  then,  in  more  solitary  places, 


1 

* 

i 

1 

II 

LIFE    OF    WILSON. 


IZXT 


the  big-hornod  owl  made  a  moat  hideous  halluoing,  that  echoed  among  the 
mountains.     In  this  lonosonio  uiunner,  with  full  luiauro  for  observation  and 
reflection,  exposed  to  hardships  ail  day,  and  hard  berths  all  night,  to  storms 
of  rain,  hail,  and  snow,  for  it  froze  sovuruly  ahiiost  every  night,  I  pcrsevcrod, 
from  the  24th  of  February  to  Sunday  evening,  March  17tb,  when   I  moored 
my  nkiff  safely  in  Bear-(ilrass  Creek,  at  the  llapids  of  the  Ohio,  after  a  voyage 
of  seven  hundred  and  twenty  miles.     My  hands  Huifered  the  most;    and  it 
will  be  some  weeks  yet  before  they  recover  their  furnier  feeling  and  flexibility. 
"  It  Would  bo  the  task  of  a  month  to  detail  all  the  particulars  of  my  nume- 
rous excursions,  in  every  direction  from  the  river.     In  Steubenvillc,  Charles- 
town  and  Wheeling,  I  found  some  friends.     At  Marietta  I  visited  the  cele- 
brated remains  of  Indian   fortifications,  as  they  are   improperly  called,  wliieh 
cover  a  li.rge  space   of  ground  on  the  banks  ol'  the  Muskingum.     Seventy 
miles  above  this,  at  a  place  called  Hig-Oravo  Creek,  I  examined  some  extraor- 
dinary  remains  of  the  same   kind   there.     The  big  grave  is  thrfce  hundred 
paces  round  at  the  base,  seventy  feet  perpendicular,  and  the  top,  which  is  about 
fifty  feet  over,  lias  sunk  in,  forming  a  regular  concavity,  three  or  four  feet 
deep.     This  tumulus  is  in  the  form  of  a  cone,  and  the  whole,  as  well  as  its 
immndiate  neighborhood,  is  covertJ  with  a  venerable  growth  of  forest,  four  or 
five  hundred  years  old,  which  gives  it  a  most  singular  appearance       In  clam- 
bering around  its  steep  sides,  I  found  a  place  where  a  large  white-oak  had  been 
lately  blown  down,  and  had  torn  up  the  earth  to  the  depth  of  five  or  six  feet. 
In  this  place  I  commenced  digging,  and  continued  to  labor  for  about  an  hour, 
examining  every  handful  of  earth  with  great  care,  but  except  some  shreds  of 
earthen  ware,  made  of  a  coarse  kind  of  gritty  clay,  and  considerable  pieces  of 
charcoal,  I  found  nothing  else;   but  a  person  of  the  neighborhood  presented 
mo  with  some  beads,  fashioned  out  of  a  kind  of  white  stone,  which  were  found 
in  digging  on  the  opposite  side  of  this  gigantic  mound,  where  I  found  the  hole 
still  remaining.     The  whole  of  an  extensive  plain  a  short  distance  from  this  is 
marked  out  with  squares,  oblongs  and  circles,  one  of  which  comprehends  seve- 
ral acres.     The  embankments  by  which  they  are  distinguished  are  still  two  or 
three  feet  above  the  common  level  of  the  field.     The  Big  Grave  is  the  property 
of  a  Mr.  Tomlinson,  or  Tumblcstone,  who  lives  near,  and  who  would  not  expend 
three  centa  to  see  the  whole  sifted  before  his  face.     I  endeavored  to  work  on 
his  avarice,  by  representing  the  probability  that  it  might  contain   valuable 
matters,  and  suggested  to  him  a  mode  by  which  a  passage  might  be  cut  into 
it  level  with  the  bottom,  and  by  excavation  and  arching,  a  most  noble  cellar 
might  be  formed  for  keeping  his  turnips  and  potatoes.     "  All  the  turnips  and 
|)otatocs  I  shall  raise  this  dozen  years,''  i^aid  he,  "  would  not  pay  the  expense  " 
This  man  is  no  antiquary,  or  theoretical  farmer,  nor  much  of  a  practical  oiie 
either  I  fear;  he  has  about  two  thousand  acres  of  the  best  land,  and  just  makes 
out  to  live.     Near  the  head  of  what  is  called  the   Long  llcach,  I  called  on  a 
certain  Michael  ('ressap,  son  to  the  noted  Colonel  Cres,sap,  mentioned  in  Jef- 
ferson's Notes  on  Virginia.     From  him  I  received  the  head  of  a  Paddle  fish, 
the  largest  ever  seen   in  the  Ohio,  which   I  am  keeping  for  Jlr.  I'eale,  with 
various  other  curiosities.      I  took  the  liberty  of  asking  whether  Logan's  accu- 
sation of  his  father  having  killed  a/l  his  family,  had  any  truth  iu  it;  but  he 


f^ff 


is 


/    I 


!Ji 


■ 

: 

i 

: 

: 

i 

! 

; 

Izxvi 


LIFE    OP   WILSON. 


replied  that  it  had  not.  Lognn,  ho  said,  had  bocu  iiiiHinfornied  ;  he  detailed 
to  me  all  thu  purticulara,  which  aro  too  lonj,'  Cor  ropi'tition,  and  ooneludcd  by 
inforuiinj,'  me  that  \m  father  died  ear!)'  in  tho  revolutionary  war,  (-f  the  camp 
fever,  ncai"  New  York. 

"  Marietta  standH  on  a  swampy  plain,  whieh  haH  evidently  ompo  been  tho 
ancient  bed  of  the  Mu.skint^'nm,  and  i.s  still  (iceiisii.nally  iunndatod  to  the  depth 
of  five  or  Hix  feet.  A  .Mr.  Tutnani,  xnn  to  the  old  K»'ncnil  of  Hunker'N  liilj 
memory,  and  Mr.  Oillninn  and  Mr.  Feariiig,  aro  making  great  oxortidns  hero, 
in  introducint;  and  mnltiplyin^;  the  race  of  merinos.  The  two  latter  gentlemen 
arc  about  establishing  works  by  steam,  for  carding  and  spinning  w.m.I,  mul 
intend  to  carry  on  the  manufacture  of  broadcloth  extensively.  Mr.  Gillmun 
is  a  gentleman  of  taste  and  wealth,  and  has  no  doubts  of  succeeding.  S.iiim- 
thing  is  necessary  to  give  animation  to  this  place,  for  since  the  building  of 
ships  has  been  abandoned  here,  the  place  seems  on  the  decline. 

"Tho    current   of  tho  Muskingum    is    very  rapid,    and    the  ferry    bout  ig 
navigated  acros.i  in  the  followii'g  manner.     A  strong  cable  i.s  extended  from 
bank  to  bank,  forty  or  fifty  feet  above  the   surface  of  tho  river,  and  fastened 
tight  at  each  end.     On  this  cable  are  two  loo,se  running  blocks;  one  rope  from 
the  bow  of  the  boat  is   fastened  to  the  first  of  these  blocks,  and  another  from 
the  after  part  of  the  boat  to  the  second  block,  and  by  lengthening  this  limt  a 
diagonal  direction  is  give  to  the  boat's  head,  a  little  up  stream,  and  tho  current 
striking  forcibly  and  obliiiuely  on  her  all.  she  i.s  hurried  forward  with  amazing 
velocity  without  any  manual  labor  whatever.      I  pas.sed  Hlannerhas.set'H  island 
after  night,  but  tho  people  were  burning  brush,  and  by  tho  light  I  had  a  dig- 
tinct  view  of  thu  mansion  house,  which  is  but  a  plain  frame  of  no  great  dimen- 
sions.    It  is  now  the  property  of  a  Mr.  Miller  from   Lexington,  who  intends 
laying  it  chiefly  in  hemp.     It  is  nearly  three  miles  long,  and  contains  about 
three  hundred  acres,  half  of  which  is  in  cultivation;   but  like  all  the  rest  of 
the  numerous  islands  of  the  Ohio,  is  subject  to  inundations.     At  (ialliopolig, 
which  stands  upon  a  high  plain,  and  contains  forty  or  fifty  scattered    houses,  I 
found  the  fields  well  fenced  and  well  cultivated,  peach  and  apple  orchards  nu- 
merous, and  a  considerable  appearance  of  industry.     One-half  of  the  original 
French  settlers  have  removed  to  a  tract  of  land  opposite  to  the  mouth  of  Sandy 
river.     This  town  has  one  shop  and  two  taverns;  tho  mountains  press  in  to 
within  a  short  distjinco   of  the   town.     I   found   hero   another  Indian  nmund 
plantod  with  peach  trees.     On  Monday,  .March  5th,  about  ten  mile.s  below  the 
mouth  of  the  great  Sciota,  where  I  saw  the  first  flock  of  paro<juets,  I  encoun- 
tered a  violent  storm  of  wind  and  rain,  which  changed  tii  hail  and  snow,  blow- 
ing down  trees  and  limbs  in  all  directions;  so  that  for  immediate  j)reservation 
I  WiLS  obliged  to  steer  out  into  the  river,  which  rolled  an<l   foamed  like  a  sea, 
and  tilled  my  boat  nearly  half  full  of  water;  and  it  was  with  the  greatest  difti- 
cnlty  I  could  make  the   least  headway.      It  continued  to   snow  violently  until 
dusk,  when  I  at  length  made  good   my  landing   at  a  place   on  the  Kentucky 
shore,  where  I  had  perceived  a  cabin  ;  and  here  I  spent  tho  evening  in  learning 
the  art  and  mystery  of  bear-treeing,  wolf  trapping,  and  wildcat   hunting,  IVuin 
an   old   j)rofessor.      Hut    notwithstanding   the  skill  of  this   great   master,  the 
country  here  is  swarming  with  wolves  and  wild-cats,  black  and  brown ;  accord- 


LIFE   OF    WILSON, 


Ixxvii 


in^  to  thin  )>untcr'fl  own  noiifcHHion  he  had  loHt  Hixty  pigx  sinco  ChriHtnioa  hist; 
uiid  all  night  lung  tlio  distant  howling  of  the  wulvos  kept  the  dog8  in  a  per- 
petual uproiirof  barking.  Thii*  niiin  watt  one  of  thoxe  people  culled  Hi{uatter8,who 
neither  pay  rent  nor  own  land,  but  keep  roving  on  the  frontiurH,  udvanuing  us 
the  tide  of  civilized  population  approaches.  They  are  the  ininicdiate  Hucces* 
Borri  of  the  naviigcs,  and  far  below  them  in  good  Henne  and  good  niannerH,  as 
well  an  comfortable  accomniodatiouH.  An  engraved  reprcHcntation  of  one  of 
their  cabinH  would  form  a  Htriking  einbcllishment  to  the  pages  of  the  I'ort 
Folio,  u>^  a  speeiuien  of  the_^r««  order  of  American  Archilccture. 

"  Nothing  adds  more  to  the  savage  grandeur,  and  pieturemjue  effect,  of  tho 
scenery  along  the  Ohio,  than  (liesu  misc^ruble  huts  of  human  beings,  lurking  at 
tho  bottom  of  a  gigantic  growth  of  timber,  thnt  I  have  not  seen  c()ualled  in 
ony  other  part  of  the  United  States.  And  it  is  truly  amusing  to  observe  how 
dear  and  how  familiar  habit  has  rendered  those  privations,  which  must  have 
been  first  tho  offspring  of  necessity.  Yot  none  pride  themselves  more  on  their 
possessions.  The  inhabitants  of  tliese  forlorn  sheds  will  talk  to  you  with  pride 
of  the  richness  of  their  soil,  of  the  excellence  and  abundance  of  their  country, 
of  the  healthiness  of  their  clim:ite,  and  the  purity  of  their  waters;  while  the 
only  broad  you  find  among  them  is  of  Indian  corn,  coarsely  ground  in  a  horse- 
mill,  with  half  of  the  grains  unbrukcn  ;  even  their  cattle  are  destitute  of  sta- 
bler and  hay,  and  look  like  moving  skeletons;  their  own  houses  worse  than 
pig-sties;  their  clothes  un  assemblage  of  rags;  their  faces  yellow,  and  lank 
with  disease  ;  and  tluiir  persons  covered  with  filth,  and  frequently  garnished 
with  the  humors  of  the  Scotch  fiddle;  IVom  which  dreadful  disease,  by  tho 
mercy  of  Ood,  I  have  been  most  miraculously  preserved.  All  this  is  the 
effect  of  laziness.  The  corn  is  thrown  into  the  ground  in  the  spring,  and  tho 
pigs  turned  into  the  woods,  where  they  multiply  like  rabbits.  The  labor  of 
the  squatter  in  now  over  till  autumn,  and  he  spends  tho  winter  in  eating  pork, 
cabbage  and  hoe  cakes.  Whot  a  contrast  to  the  neat  farm,  and  snug,  cleanly 
habitation,  of  the  industrious  settler,  that  opens  his  green  fields,  his  stately 
barns,  gardens  and  orchards,  to  the  gladdened  eye  of  the  delighted  stranger  I 

"  At  a  place  called  Salt  liick,  I  went  ashore  to  sco  tho  salt  works,  and  to 
learn  whether  the  peopli;  had  found  any  further  renuiins  of  an  animal  of  tho 
ox  kinil,  one  of  whose  horns,  of  a  prodigious  size,  was  discovered  here  some 
years  ago,  and  is  in  tho  possession  of  Mr.  Pealo.  They  ntako  hero  about  one 
thousand  bushels  weekly,  which  sells  at  one  dollar  and  seventy-five  cents  per 
bushel.  The  wells  are  from  thirty  to  fifty  feet  deep,  but  nothing  curious  bos 
lately  been  dug  up.  I  landed  at  Maysville,  or  Limestone,  where  a  considerable 
deal  of  busine.xs  is  done  in  importation  for  the  interior  of  Kentucky.  It  stands 
(in  a  high  narrow  plain  between  the  mountains  and  the  river,  which  is  fist 
devouring  the  bank,  and  encroaching  on  the  town;  part  of  the  front  street  is 
gone  already,  and  unless  .some  effectual  means  are  soon  taken,  tho  whole  must 
go  by  piecemeal.  This  town  contains  obout  one  hundred  houses,  chiefly  log 
and  frames.  From  this  place  I  .set  out  on  foot  for  Washington.  On  the  road, 
at  tho  height  of  several  hundred  feet  above  the  present  surface  of  the  river, 
I  found  prodigious  quantities  of  petrified  shells,  of  the  small  cockle  and  fan- 
shaped  kind,  but  whether  marine  remains  or  not  am  uncertain.     I  have  since 


li. 


Si  I 


/! 


I    i 


1     J  ,  1 

i  It! 


Ixxviii 


LIFK    OK    WI  I- SON. 


found  thcHO  petrified  concretions  of  nhclln  univorHrti  nil  over  Kentiuky,  wliero- 
CTor  I  Imvo  been.  The  rocks  l<wk  as  if  one  hiid  ciilletted  heaj..'!  of  broken 
sliellH,  nnd  wrouj,'lit  tlicni  up  nmonp  ciny,  then  Imrdenod  it  into  nt.inc.  ThcH« 
rocks  lie  univcrxiilly  in  lioriuontiil  Htnilii  A  farnior  in  the  iiLijilihorhnod  of 
Washington  assured  nie,  tliat  from  seven  acres  he  reaped  at  once  eight  thousand 
weight  orcxceiiont  lunip,  fit  for  market. 

"Amidst  very  tempestuous  wentlier,  I  reached  the  town  of  Cincinnati,  which 
(h>es  honor  t^i  the  name  of  the  oM  Roman,  and  is  the  neatest  and  hniKJNonirst 
situated  pliii-e  I  have  seen  since  I  left  Philadelphia.  Vou  must  know  thut 
during  an  unknown  series  of  ages,  the  river  Ohio  has  gradually  sunk  scvci.il 
hundred  feet  heh)W  its  former  bed,  and  has  left  on  both  sides,  oecHsionally, 
what  are  called  the  first  or  nearest,  and  the  second  or  next,  high  bank,  the 
latter  (d'  which  is  never  overflowed. 

"  The  town  of  Cincinnati  occupies  two  beautiful  plains,  one  on  the  first,  and 
the  other  on  the  second  bank,  and  contains  upwards  of  five  hundred  houses, 
the  greater  proportion  of  which  are  of  brick.  One  block  hou  (!  i.s  all  that 
remains  fd"  Fort  Washington.  The  river  Licking  comes  in  from  the  opposite 
shore,  where  the  town  of  Newport,  of  forty  or  fifty  houses,  and  a  large  arsenal 
and  barracks  are  lately  erected.  Merc  I  met  with  Judge  Turner,  a  man  of 
extraordinary  t^ilenfs,  well  known  to  flic  /itrniti  ul'  riiiladclphia.  He  exert<id 
himself  in  my  behalf  with  all  the  ardor  of  an  idd  friend.  A  largo  Indian 
mound  ill  the  vicinity  of  this  town  has  been  lately  ojioned  by  iJoctor  l>rake 
who  showed  nie  the  collection  (d' curiosities  which  he  had  found  in  that  and 
others.  In  the  centre  (d'this  moun<l  he  al.so  found  a  large  fragment  id"  earthen 
ware,  such  as  I  found  at  the  Hig  (Srave,  which  is  a  pretty  strong  proof  that 
these  works  hud  been  erected  by  a  jieoplc,  if  not  the  same,  differing  little 
fnini  the  present  race  of  Indians,  whose  Ir.ignient.s  of  earthen  ware,  dug  up 
about  their  lite  towns,  correspond  exactly  with  these.  Twenty  miles  below 
this  I  passed  the  mouth  of  the  (Jreaf  Miami,  which  rushes  in  from  the  north 
and  is  a  large  and  .stately  river,  preserving  its  pure  waters  uncontaminated  for 
many  miles  with  those  of  tlie  Oliio,  each  keeping  their  respective  sides  of  the 
channel.  I  ramlded  uj)  the  banks  of  this  river  for  four  or  five  miles,  and  in 
my  return  shot  a  turkey.  I  also  saw  five  or  six  deer  in  a  drove,  but  they  were 
lo<i  light  heeled  for  me, 

"  [n  the  afternoon  of  the  ISth  I  entered  Hig-Hone  Creek,  which  being  pass- 
able only  about  a  (jiiarter  ol'  a  mile,  I  secured  my  boat,  and  left  my  baggage 
under  tin;  care  of  a  decent  family  near,  and  set  out  on  foot  five  miles  through 
the  woods  for  the  Big-Hone  liick,  that  great  antediluvian  rendcivous  of  the 
American  elephants.  This  place,  which  lies  '•  far  in  the  windings  of  a  shel- 
tered vale,"  afforded  me  a  fund  of  amusement  in  shooting  ducks  and  paronuets 
(of  which  Just  I  skinned  twelve.  an<l  brought  ofl^  two  slightly  wounded),  ai.il 
in  examining  the  ancient  buffalo  roads  to  this  great  licking-place.  Mr. 
('ol(|uhoun,  the  proprietor,  Wiu<  not  at  h(mie.  hut  his  agent  and  manager  enter- 
tained me  as  well  as  he  was  able,  and  was  much  amused  with  my  enthusiasm. 
This  place  is  a  low  valley,  everywhere  surrounded  by  high  liills;  in  the  centre, 
by  the  side  of  the  creek,  is  a  (juagmire  of  near  an  acre,  from  wliich,  and 
aunthcr  smaller  one  bciuw,  the  chief  part  of  these  large  bones  have  been  taken;  at 


I    I 


LIFK    OF    WILSON. 


Ixxix 


the  lattrr  |»Ihcpm  I  fniiiul  nunioroiiH  rrngnienU  of  largo  hontrn  lying  iionttorcd 
about.  In  ptirHtiiii;;  n  woundod  duck  ncronn  thin  quagmiro,  I  hii<l  nearly  <li>pn- 
jionitod  ti)}'  CiircaHH  among  the  grand  congregation  of  ninniniothH  helow,  having 
mink  up  to  tho middle,  and  had  hard  ntruggling  to  get  out.  Aa  the  proprietor 
iiitetidN  lodigin  varioiLs  plaoea  thin  aeaaon  for  hrino,  and  is  m  gentleman  of 
cdiioutioii  iitid  infclliuenpo,  I  have  Htrong  hopes  that  a  more  complete  HJcoleton 
of  that  animal  railed  the  mammoth,  than  ha.s  yet  boon  found,  will  be  procured 
I  laid  the  strongeKt  injiuictionx  on  the  manager  to  be  on  the  lookout,  and  to 
preserve  everything;  1  also  lefl  a  letter  for  Mr.  Colquhoun  to  the  same  pur- 
])iirt.  and  am  persuiided  that  those  will  not  be  neglected.  In  tluH  neighbor- 
hood I  found  the  (%)lundio  plant  in  great  abundance,  and  collected  Home  of  the 
Kceds.  Many  of  the  old  Htalka  were  more  than  five  feet  high.  I  have  since 
found  it  in  various  other  part.s  of  this  country. 

"  In  the  afternoon  of  the  next  day  I  returned  to  my  boat,  replaced  my  bog- 
gage,  and  rowed  twenty  miles  to  the  Swiss  settlement,  where  I  spent  the  night. 
Thesie  hardy  and  indu>itriou!»  people  have  now  twelve  acres  closely  and  cleanly 
planted  with  vinc^s  from  the  Cape  of  (lood  Hope.  They  last  year  made  seven 
hunilred  gallons  of  wine,  and  expect  to  make  three  times  as  much  the  ensuing 
season.  Their  houses  are  neat  and  comfortable,  they  have  orchards  of  poach 
and  apjile  trees,  besides  a  great  number  of  figs,  cherries,  and  other  fruit  trees, 
of  uhieh  they  are  very  curious.  They  ore  of  opinion  that  this  part  of  the 
Indiana  Territory  is  as  well  suited  as  any  part  of  Franco  to  the  cultivation  of 
the  vine,  but  the  vines  they  say  require  different  management  here  from  what 
they  were  accustomed  to  in  SwilzerLiiul  I  purchased  a  bottle  of  their  last 
vintage,  and  drank  to  all  your  healths  as  long  as  it  lasted,  in  going  down  the 
river.  Seven  miles  lieiow  this  I  passed  the  mouth  of  Kentucky  river,  which 
has  ft  ftirmidable  appearance.  I  nbserveil  twenty  or  thirty  scattered  houses 
on  its  upper  side,  and  a  few  below,  many  of  the  former  seemingly  in  a  state  of 
decay.  It  rained  <in  nie  almost  the  whole  of  this  day,  and  I  was  obliged  to 
row  hard  and  drink  healths  to  keep  myself  coml'ortable  My  birds'  skins  were 
wrapped  up  in  my  great  coat,  antl  my  own  skin  hud  to  sustain  a  complete  drench- 
ing, which,  however,  had  no  bad  effects 

'•  This  evening  I  lodged  at  the  most  wretched  hovel  I  had  yet  seen.  The 
owner,  a  meagre  diminutive  wretch,  soon  began  to  let  me  know  of  how  much 
consequen*  e  ho  had  formerly  been  ;  that  ho  had  gone  through  all  the  war  with 
(ieneral  \rashington — had  become  one  of  his  life  tjuanh.  and  had  sent  many  a 
Uritish  soldier  to  his  long  home.  As  I  answered  him  vnlh  indifference,  to  inter- 
est me  the  more  he  began  to  detail  anecdotes  of  his  v^)nde^ful  exploits;  'One 
grenadier,'  said  he,  '  had  the  impudence  to  get  up  on  the  works,  and  to  wave  his 
e.ip  in  ilefi.ince;  my  commander  ((lencral  Washington  I  suppose)  saya  tc  ine, 
•  hick,  s.ays  he,  can't  you  pepper  that  there  fellow  for  me?'  says  he.  'Please 
your  honor,'  says  I,  '  I'll  try  at  it;'  so  I  took  a  fair,  cool  and  steady  aim,  and 
tnuehed  my  tri;.'ger  Up  went  his  heels  like  a  turkey  I  down  he  tumbled  !  one 
buckshot  had  entered  here,  and  another  here  (laying  a  finger  on  each  breast), 
and  tlic  bullet  found  the  way  to  his  brains  right  through  his  forehead,  liy  God 
lie  was  n  noble-looking  fellow  I' 

Though  I  believed  every  word  of  this  to  be  a  lie,  yet  I  could  not  but  look 


Ixxx 


LIFE    OF   WILSON. 


with  disfrust  on  the  being  who  uttered  it.     This  same  miscreant  pronounced  a 
long  prayer  boibre  supper,  r^nd  iniuiediately  after  called  out,  in  a  splutter  of 
oaths,  for  the  pine  splinters  to  be  held  to  let  the  gentleman  see.     Such  a  far- 
rago of  lies,  oaths,  prayers  and  politeness,  put  me  in  a  good  humor  in  spite  of 
myself.     Tho  whole  herd  of  this  filthy  kennel  were  in  perpetual  motion  with 
the  itch ;  so  having  procured  a  large  fire  to  bo  made,  under  pretence  of  habit 
I  sought  for  the  softest  plank,  placed  my  trunk  and  great  coat  at  my  head, 
and  stretched  myself  there  till   morning.     I  set  out  early  and  passed  several 
arks.     ^  number  of  turkeys  which  I  observed  from  time  to  time  on  the  Indiana 
shore,  made  me  lore  half  the  morning  in  search  of  them.     On  the  Kentucky 
shore  I  was  also  decoyed  by  the  same  temptations,  but  never  could  approach 
near  enough  to  shoot  one  of  them.     These  affairs  detained  me  so,  that  I  was 
dubious  whether  I  should  be  able  to  reach  Louisville  that  night.     Night  came 
on,  end  I  could  hear  nothing  of  the  Falls;  about  eight  I  first  heard  the  roaring 
of  the  Rapids,  and  as  it  increased  I  was  every  momov'   in  hopes    f  seeing  the 
lights  of  Louisville;  but  lii  light,-?  appc.  -cd,  and  the  noise  aceuied  now  within 
less  thr.;.  Iiulf  n  mile  of  mo.     Seriously  alarmed,  lest  I  might  bo  drawn  into 
the  suction  of  the  Fall.-',  I  cajtiously  eo.asted  along  .xhore,  which  wiis  full  of 
snayx  and  xivyrrs.  and  at  length,  with  groat  satisfaction,  opened  l?ear-Grass 
Creek,  where  I  .secured  my  .skiff  Ikj  i  Kentucky  boat,  and  loading  myself  with 
my  baggiige,  I  groped   my  way  through  a  swamp  up  to  the   town.     Tho   next 
day  I  sold  my  skif  tor  exactly  half  wlmt  it  cost  me  ;  and  the  man  who  bought 
it   vondcred   why   I  gave  it  such  a   droll    Indian  name,  (the  Ornithdlogist,) 
'some  old  chief  or  wjirrior  I  suppa«c,'  said  he.     This  dny  I  walked  down  alcng 
shore  to  Shippingport,  to  take  a  vi<'w  of  these  celebrated  Rapids,  but  they  fell 
far  .-hort  of  my  expectation.     I  should  have  no  hcfitiition  in  going  down  them 
in  a  skiff.     The  Falls  of  Oswego,   in   tho  State  of  Nrw  York,   though  on  a 
smaller  scale,  are  far  more  dangerous  and  formidable  in  appearance.     Though 
the  river  was  not  high,  I  observed  two  arks  ami  a  barge  run  them  with  great 
ra.se  and  rapidity.     The  Ohio  hero  is  something  more  t.:an  a  mile  wide,  with 
several  islands  interspersed  ;  the  channel  rocky,  and  the  islands  heaped  with 
drift  wood.     The  whole  fall  in  two  miles  is  less  than  twenty-four  feet.     Tho 
town  of  Louisville  stands  on  a   high  srcontl  bank,  and   is  about   as   large  as 
I'rankford,  having  a  number  of  good  brick  buildings  and  valuable  shops.    Tho 
situation  would  be  as  healthy  as  any  on  the  river,  but  for  the  numerous  swanijis 
and  ponds  that  intersect   the  wo'.ds   in    its   neighborhood.     These  from  their 
height  above  the  river  might  all  be  drained  and  turned  into  cultivation;  but 
every  man  here  is  so  intent  on  the  immediate  making  of  money,  that  they  have 
neither  time  nor  disposition  fjr  improvements,  even   where  the  article  health 
is  at  stake.     A  nun  here  told  me  that  la*t  fall  he  had  fourteen  sick  in  his  own 
family.     On  Friday  the  24th,  I  left  my  baggage  with  u  merchant  of  the  place 
to  be  forwardeil  by  the  first  wagon,  and  set  out  on  foot  for  Lexington,  seventy- 
two  miles  distant.     I  passed  through  .Middletuwn  and  Shelbyville,  both  incon- 
siderable places.     Niue-teuths  of  tho  country  is  ia  forest;  tho  surface  undu- 
lating into  gentle  eminences  and  declivities,  between  each  «f  which  generally 
runs  a  bro<k,  over  hxise  flagp  .jf  limestone.     The  soil,  by  appearance,  is  of  tho 
richest  sort.     I  observed  immense  field'*  of  Indian  corn,  high  oxcellont  fences, 


i:i  ^IB 


LIFE    OF    WILSON. 


Ixxxi 


few  grain  fields,  many  log  houses,  and  those  of  the  meaiior  sort.  I  took  notice 
of  few  apple  orchards,  but  several  very  thriving  peach  ones.  An  appearance 
of  slovenliness  is  but  too  general  about  their  houses,  barns,  and  burn-yards. 
Negroes  are  numerous;  cattle  and  horses  lean,  particularly  the  former,  who 
appear  as  if  struggling  with  starvation  for  their  existence.  Tl.e  woods  are 
swarming  with  pigs,  pigeons,  sfiuirrels  and  woodpeckers.  The  pigs  are  univer- 
sally fat,  owing  to  the  great  (juuntity  of  mast  this  year.  Walking  hero  in  wet 
weather  is  most  execrable,  and  is  like  travelling  on  soft  soap;  a  few  days  of 
warm  weather  hardens  this  again  almost  into  stone.  Want  of  bridges  is  the 
greatt'st  inconvenience  to  a  foot  traveller  here.  Between  Shelbyville  and 
Frankfort,  having  gone  out  of  my  way  to  see  a  pigeon-roost,  (which  by-the-by 
is  the  greatest  curiosity  I  have  seen  since  leaving  home),  I  waded  a  deep  creek 
called  Benson,  nine  or  ten  times.  I  spent  several  days  in  Frankfort,  and  in 
rambling  among  the  stupendous  cliffs  of  Kentucky  river.  On  Thursday  even- 
ing I  entered  Lexington.  But  I  cannot  do  justice  to  these  subjects  at  the 
conclusion  of  a  letter,  which,  in  spite  of  all  my  abridgment,^,  lia.s  far  exceeded 
in  length  what  I  first  intended.  My  next  will  be  from  Nashville.  I  shall 
then  have  seen  a  large  range  of  Kentucky,  and  be  more  able  to  give  you  a 
correct  delineation  of  the  country  and  its  inhabitants.  In  descendiig  the 
Ohio,  I  amused  myself  with  a  pocti-al  narrative  of  my  expedition,  which  I 
have  called  '  Tlie  I'i/ijn'm,'  an  extract  from  which  shall  close  this  long  and  I  am 
a*'raid  tiresome  letter." 


To  Mr.  Alexander  Lawson. 

"  Nauhvili.i!,  Tennessee,  April  28th,  1810, 
"  My  Pear  Sir. 

"  Before  setting  out  on  my  journey  through  the  wilderness  to  Natchez,  I  sit 
down  to  give  you,  according  to  promise,  some  account  of  Lexington,  and  of  my 
adventures  through  the  state  of  Kentucky.  These  I  shall  be  obliged  to  sketch 
as  rapidly  as  possible.  Neither  my  tinjc  nor  my  situation  enables  me  to  detail 
particulars  witJi  any  degree  of  regularity ;  and  you  must  condescend  to  i.iceive 
them  in  the  same  random  manner  in  which  they  occur,  altogether  destitute  of 
fanciful  embellishment;  with  nothing  but  their  novelty,  and  the  simplicity  of 
truth,  to  recommend  them. 

"  I  saw  nothing  of  jjexington  till  I  had  approached  within  half  a  mile  of  the 
place,  when  the  woods  opening,  I  beheld  the  town  before  mo,  on  an  irregular 
plain,  ornamented  with  a  small  white  spire,  aii,l  cunsisting  of  several  parallel 
streets,  crossed  by  soni^  others  ;  n:any  of  the  houses  built  <if  brick  ;  others  of 
frame,  neatly  painted  but  a  great  proportion  wore  a  more  humble  and  inferior 
iippearancc.  The  fields  around  looked  clean  and  well  fenced  ;  gently  undu- 
i.iting,  but  no  bills  in  view.  In  a  hollow  between  two  of  these  parallel  street.*', 
ran  a  considerable  brook,  that,  uniting  with  a  largf^r  a  little  below  the  town, 
drives  several  mills.  A  large  quarry  -  "  excellent  building  stone  also  attracted 
my  n<  tico  as  I  entered  the  town.  The  main  street  was  paved  with  large  mas.scs 
from  this  quarry,  the  f(Mit  path  neat,  and  g\iardcd  by  wooden  posts.  The 
numerous  shops  piled  with  goods,  and  the  many  well  drcsaed  females  T  passed 

Vol.  I.-F 


Ixxxii 


LIFE    OF    WILSON. 


J    ,      * 


II' 


If  , 


\  I 


111  ii 


:^ 


Hi      !' 


I' 


in  the  streets ;  the  sound  of  social  industry,  and  the  gay  scenery  of  <  the 
busy  haunts  of  n.en/  had  a  niont  exhilarating,'  effect  on  my  spirits,  after  being  bo 
long  immured  in  the  forest.  My  own  appearance,  T  believe,  was  to  many  e(|uaily 
interesting;  and  the  shopkeepers  and  other  loungers  interrogated  me  with  their 
eyes  as  I  passed,  with  symptoms  of  eager  and  inquisitive  curiosity.  AfVer  fix- 
iiig  my  quarters,  disposing  of  uiy  arms,  and  burnishing  myself  a  little,  I  walked 
out  to  have  a  more  particular  vie  v  of  the  place. 

"  This  little  mctropoli-s  of  the  western  country  is  nearly  as  large  (w  Lanenster 
in  Pennsylvania.  In  the  centre  of  the  town  is  a  public  square,  partly  occupied 
by  the  court-house  and  market-place,  and  distinguished  by  the  additional  orna- 
ment of  the  pillory  and  stocks.  The  former  of  these  is  bo  constructed  as  to 
serve  well  enough,  if  need  be,  occasionally  for  a  gallows,  which  is  not  a  bad 
thought;  for  as  nothing  contributes  more  to  jmike  hankncd  vllUtim  than  the 
pillory,  so  nothing  so  effectually  rids  society  of  them  aa  the  gallows;  and  every 
knave  may  here  exclaim,  '       , 

"  My  4an«  «nd  o«<i«/o<«  are  both  before  me." 

I  peeped  into' the  court-house  as  I  passed,  and  though  it  was  court  day,  T  was 
struck  with  the  appearance  its  interior  exhibited  ;  for,  th<mgh  only  a  pl.tin 
square  brick  buililing,  it  has  all  the  gloom  of  the  (iolhic,  so  much  admired  of 
late,  by  our  modern  architects.     The  exterior  walls,  having,  on  experiment, 
been  found  too  fct-Me  for  the  s;iperincun«bcnt  honors  of  the  roof  and  .'*teipln,  jt 
was  found   necc.<^ary  to  erect    from  the  floor,  a  number  of  large,  circular,  and 
UMpl;u<tered  brick  pillars,  in  a  new  order  of  architecture  (the  thick  end  upper- 
moht),  which,  while  they  .serve  to  impress  the  spectators  with  the  perpetual 
dread  that  they  will  tund)le  about  their  cars,  contribute  also,  \,y  their  nunilier 
and  bulk,  to  shut  out  the  liglit,  and  to  spread  around  a  reverential  gloom,  pro- 
ducing a  melancholy  and    chilling  effect;  a  very  gotwj   disjwsiliou   of  mind, 
certainly,  for  a  man  to  enter  a  court  of  justice  in.     One  or  two  solitary  indivj. 
duals  stole  along  the  damp  and  silent  floor;  and   I  could  just  descry,  elevated 
at  the  opposite  extremity  of  the  building,  the  judges  sitting,  like  spiders  in  » 
window  corner,  dimly  distinguishable   through   the  intermcdiiito  gloom.     The 
market-place,  which  stands  k  littlu  to  the  westward  of  this    and  htretches  over 
the  whole  breadth  of  the  square,  is  built  of  brick,  something  like  that  of  Phi- 
ladelphia    but  is  s  npuxed  and  unfinished.     I 'i  wet  weather  you  sink  over  the 
shoes  in  mud  at  every  .»tcp ;  and  here  again  t»;c  wisdom  of  the  police  is  mani- 
fest; as  nobody  at  such  times  will  wade  in  there  unless  forced   by  business  or 
absolute  necessity ;  by  which  means  a  great  number  of  idle  loungers  are,  very 
projierly,  kepi  out  of  the  w.iy  of  the  market  fdks. 

"  1  shall  say  nothing  of  the  niilure  or  (jiiantity  of  the  coninioditicR  which  I 
saw  exhibited  there  for  sale,  as  the  season  was  unfavorable  t4i  n  display  of  their 
productions;  otherwise  something  better  than  a  few  caki's  of  bla<'k  maple  sugar 
wrapped  up  in  grca.sy  saddlebags,  some  cabbage,  chewing  t<diaec<i,  catmint  and 
turnip  tojis,  a  few  bags  of  meal,  Kassafras-r<K)t«,  and  skitined  sijuirrels  cut  up  into 
quarters — something  better  <hun  all  this,  I  say,  in  the  proper  season,  certainly 


I'      li 


LIFE    OF    WILSON. 


Ixxxiii 


covers  the  stalls  of  this  market-place,  in  the  metropolis  of  the  fertile  country 
of  Kentucky.* 

"  The  horses  of  Kentucky  arc  the  hardiest  in  the  world,  not  so  much  by 
nature  as  by  education  and  habit.  From  the  commencement  of  their  existence 
they  are  habituated  to  every  extreme  of  starvation  and  gluttony,  idleness  and 
cxccbbIvo  fatij;ue.  In  Buramcr  they  fare  sumptuously  every  day.  In  winter, 
when  not  a  blade  of  gra.ss  is  to  be  seen,  and  when  the  cows  have  deprived 
them  of  the  very  bark  and  buds  of  every  fallen  tree,  they  are  ridden  into 
town,  fifteen  or  twenty  miles,  through  roads  and  sloughs  that  would  become 
tlic  graves  of  any  common  animal,  with  a  fury  and  celerity  incomprehensible 
by  you  folks  on  the  other  side  of  the  Alleghany.  They  are  there  fastened  to 
the   posts  on  the  sides  of  the  streets,  and   around   the   public  square,  where 


♦  This  letter,  it  should  seem,  fiivc  offence  to  some  of  tlic  inhabitants  of  Ijcxington  ;  and 
a  gentlemiin  re.siding  in  that  town,  xolicitous  ntwut  its  reputation,  undertook,  in  a  letter  to 
the  editor  of  ihc  I'ort  Folio,  to  vindientc  it  from  stricture.'!  whieh  he  plainly  insinuated 
were  the  otlspring  of  ignorance,  and  unsupporte<l  by  fact. 

After  a  feeble  atliniyt  .i!  snrcaam  and  irony,  the  letter-writer  thus  proceeds:  "  I  have 
too  great  a  re^pr  t  for  •  r  Wilson,  ns  your  friend,  not  Vi  believe  he  had  in  mind  gome 
other  market-hcif '    'hv  of  Lexington,  when  he  speaks  of  it  as  '  unpaved  and  uu- 

fliiished  I'  But  tl,.  ,.i  i..:i..  .ji  Ix'xington  would  be  gratified  to  lenrn  what  your  ornitho- 
logist means  by  '  skinned  squirrels  cut  up  into  i|uartcrs,'  which  curious  anatomical  prepa- 
rations he  enuuier..'es  among  the  articles  he  saw  in  the  L'^xinglou  market.  Does  Mr. 
Wil^'on  mean  u>  jok-e  u(Mm  us  f  If  this  is  wit  we  must  confess  that,  howevei  abundant  our 
country  may  bo  in  gocKl  substantial  matter-of-fact  salt,  the  attic  tart  is  unknown  among  us. 

"  I  hope,  however,  soon  to  see  this  j^entleman's  American  Ornithology.  Its  elegance 
of  execution,  and  descriptive  propriety,  may  assuage  the  little  picjuo  we  have  taken  friiu 
ilu'  author." 

The  eilltor  of  the  Port  Folio  having  transmitted  this  letter  to  Wilson,  previous  to  send- 
ing it  to  press,  it  was  returned  with  the  following  note  : 

"To  THE  Editou  of  tub  I'ort  Folio. 

"  Bartram's  Gardens,  July  16,  1 81 1. 
"  Dear  Sir. 

"  No  man  can  have  a  more  respectful  -opinion  of  the  people  of  Kentucky,  partiruUrly 
ihose  of  Lexington,  than  myself;  bei«\:si  I  have  traversed  iiearly  the  whole  extent  of  their 
country,  and  witnessed  the  effects  of  "!i.  ;/  'irsivery,  their  active  industry,  and  daring  spirit 
fur  enterprise.      But  tliey  would  Ih        .(•      "i'  not  men,  were  they  fnultlrs.i. 

"  I  am  sorry  that  truth  will  m'  i  f  »•  e   •>  retract,  as  mere  jokrs,  the  few  disagrceahlo 

things  alluded  to.  I  certainly  ban  ,u  .')■  i'  r.vjrUel-placc  in  view,  than  that  of  Lexington, 
lu  the  p»!.»i!ge  iilM)ve  menlioned.  As  to  .1.  rii'-nnistance  of  '  skinned  sciuirrels,  cut  up 
n\iit  tjuiirlrrt,'  whieh  seems  to  have  excited  ."o  much  sensibility,  I  candidly  acknowledge 
iinself  to  have  l>een  incorrect  in  lliat  statement,  and  I  owe  an  a|M>Iogy  for  Ihe  same.  On 
relcrring  lo  my  notes  taken  ut  the  time,  I  find  the  word  '  lutlvi:*,'  luit  <iuarlers  ;  that  is, 
those  '  curious  anaioniical  preparations'  (skinneil  xpiirrels)  were  brought  to  market  in 
the  form  of  a  saddle  of  venison  ;  not  in  that  of  a  leg  or  shoulder  of  mutton. 

"  With  ibis  correction,  I  beg  leave  to  assure  your  very  sensible  correspondent,  that  the 
tliii'g  itself  was  no  "■■■'.(■,  nor  meant  for  one  ;  but,  like  all  the  rcsf  of  the  particulars  of  that 
sketch,  '  goiNl  kubslantial  noitcer  of  fact.' 

"  If  these  explanaiiont,  or  v  ■  norusnl  of  n:y  American  Ornithology,  should  assuage 
llie  'little  |ii(iue'  in  the  mindc  i  •  i  ,c  (ji>od  people  of  Lexir.glon,  it  will  be  no  \ts^  honor- 
able lo  their  own  ijood  icnse,  tii.L  .j,Tec'ib'e  .j  your  humble  servant,"  4c.  Port  fhlio 
fm  Aui/u'l,  IBM. 


I  I 


[N 


I. 


r 


I  I 


f 

1    [ 

' 

'8 

1  ' 

Ixxxiv 


LIFE    OF    WILSON. 


hundreds  of  them  may  be  seen,  on  a  court  day,  hanging  their  heads  from 
morning  to  night,  in  deep  cogitation,  ruminating  perhaps  on  the  long-cxj  octed 
return  of  spring  and  green  herbage  The  country  people,  to  their  credit  be 
it  spolcen,  are  universally  clad  in  plain  homespun;  soap,  however,  appears  to 
be  a  scarce  article ;  and  Hopkins'  double  cuttert  would  find  hero  a  rich  harvest, 
and  produce  a  very  improving  effect.  Though  religion  here  has  its  zealous 
votaries,  yet  none  can  accuse  the  inhabitants  of  this  flourishing  place  of 
bigotry,  in  shutting  out  from  the  pale  of  the  church  or  churchyard  any  human 
beins.  or  animal  whatever.  Some  of  these  sanctuaries  are  open  at  all  hours, 
and  to  every  visitor.  Tiie  birds  of  heaven  find  a  hundred  passages  through 
the  broken  panes ;  and  the  cows  and  hogs  a  ready  access  on  all  sides.  The 
wall  of  separation  is  broken  down  between  the  living  and  the  dead ;  and  dogs 
tug  at  the  eareas.s  of  the  horse,  on  the  grave  of  his  master.  Lcxingt<in,  how- 
ever, with  all  its  faults,  which  a  few  years  will  gradually  correct,  is  an  honor- 
able monument  of  the  enterprise,  courage,  and  indu.  v  of  its  inhabitants. 
Within  the  moiiiory  of  a  middle  aged  man,  who  gave  me  *"  ,  lation,  there 

were  only  two  log  huts  on  the  spot  where"  this  city  is  now  .  .;  while  the 

surrounding  country  was  a  wilderness,  rendered  hideous  by  i.^alking  bands 
of  bloody  and  lerocious  Indians.  Now.  numerous  csccllcnt  isistitutions  for 
the  educati<in  of  youth,  a  public  library,  and  a  well-endowed  university,  under 
the  superintendence  of  men  of  learning  and  piety,  are  in  successful  operation. 
Trade  and  manufai'turcs  are  also  rapidly  increasing.  Two  manufactories  for 
spinning  cotton  have  lately  been  erected  j  one  for  woollen  ;  several  cxten.sive 
ones  for  weaving  sail-cloth  and  bagging;  and  seven  ropewalks,  which,  accord- 
ing to  one  of  the  proprietors,  export,  annually,  ropeyarn  to  the  amount  of 
150,000  dollars.  A  taste  for  neat,  and  even  elegant,  buildings  is  fast  gaining 
ground;  and  Lexington,  at  present,  can  boast  of  men  who  do  honor  to  .science, 
and  of  females  whose  beauty  and  amiable  manners  would  grace  the  first  circles 
of  society. 

"On  Saturday,  .\pril  lllh,  I  lefl  this  place  for  Nashville,  distant  about  200 
miles  I  pa.«.sed  through  Nicholasville,  the  cnpit.il  of  .Jc."samine  county,  a 
small  village  begun  about  fen  years  ago,  con.^isting  of  about  twenty  houses 
with  three  shops  ami  four  taverns  The  woods  were  scancly  beginning  to  look 
green,  which  to  me  wjis  .■surprising,  having  been  led  by  common  report  to 
believe  that  spring  here  is  much  earlier  than  in  the  lower  parts  of  Pennsyl- 
vania. I  must  further  olK^crve,  that,  insteacl  of  finding  the  woods  of  Kentucky 
covered  with  a  profusion  of  flowers,  ihey  were,  at  this  time,  covered  with 
rotten  leaves  and  dead  timber,  in  every  stage  of  decay  and  confusion ;  and  I 
could  see  no  difference  between  them  and  our  own,  but  in  the  magnitude  of 
the  timber,  and  superior  richness  of  the  soil.  Here  and  there  the  yvliile  blos- 
soms of  the  Sunifuiiiiiria  rumuirmi*,  or  red  root,  were  |)eeping  through  the 
withered  leaves ;  and  the  buds  of  the  buckeye,  or  horse  chestnut,  and  one  or 
two  more,  were  beginning  to  expaml.  Wherever  the  hackberry  had  fallen,  or 
been  cut  down,  the  cattle  had  eaten  the  whole  bark  from  the  trunk,  even  to 
that  of  the  roots. 

"  Nineteen   miles  from  Ti«>xington,   T  descended  a  long,  steep,  and  rocky 
declivity,  to  the  banks  of  Kentucky  river,  which  is  here  about  us  wido  as  the 


ji«U^ 


LIFE    OF    WILSON. 


Ixxxv 


Schuylkill;  and  winds  away  between  prodigious  perpendicular  cliffs  of  solid 
limestone.  In  this  deep  and  romantic  valley  the  sound  of  the  boat  horns,  from 
Bcvoral  KvHtucky  arks,  which  were  at  that  instant  passing,  produced  a  most 
charming  effect.  The  river,  I  was  told,  had  already  fallen  fifteen  feet ;  but 
was  still  high.  I  observed  great  numbers  of  uncommon  plants  and  flowers, 
growing  among  the  cliffs;  and  a  few  solitary  bank  swallows  were  skimming 
along  the  s  trfacc.  lleascending  from  this,  and  travelling  for  .  few  miles,  I 
again  descei.  led  a  vast  depth  to  another  stream  called  Dick's  river,  engulfed 
among  the  sai:  "3  perpendicular  mas.ses  of  rock.  Though  it  was  nearly  dark,  I 
found  some  curious  petrifactions,  and  some  beautiful  specimens  of  mother-nf- 
pearl  on  the  shore.  The  roaring  of  a  mill-dam,  and  the  rattling  of  the  mill, 
prevented  the  ferryman  fiom  hearing  me  till  it  was  (juito  night;  and  I  pas.sed 
the  rest  of  the  road  in  Uie  dark,  ovor  a  rocky  country,  abounding  with  springs, 
to  Danville.  This  place  stands  on  a  slight  eminence,  and  contains  about  eighty 
houses,  chiefly  log  and  frame  buildings,  disposed  in  two  parallel  streets,  crossed 
by  several  others.  It  has  two  ropewalks  and  a  woollen  manufactory  ;  also  nine 
shops  and  three  taverns.  I  observed  a  great  many  sheep  feeding  about  here, 
amidst  fields  of  excellent  pasture.  It  is,  however,  but  a  dull  place.  A  liomau 
(Catholic  chapel  has  been  erected  here,  at  the  expense  of  one  or  two  individuals. 
The  shopkeepers  trade  from  the  mouth  of  Dick's  river  down  to  New  Orleans, 
with  the  common  pruductious  of  the  country,  flour,  hemp,  tobacco,  pork,  corn, 
and  whiskey. 

"  I  was  now  one  hundred  and  eighty  miles  from  Nashville,  and,  as  I  was 
informed,  not  a  town  or  village  on  the  whole  route.  Every  day.  he  ever,  was 
producitig  wonders  in  the  woods,  by  the  progress  of  veget^ition.  The  blossoms 
of  the  sassafras,  dog-wood,  and  red  bud,  contrasted  with  the  deep  green  of  the 
pciplur  and  buckeye,  enriched  the  scenery  on  every  side  ;  while  the  voices  of  the 
feathered  tribes,  many  of  which  were  to  nio  new  and  unknown,  were  continually 
ei'iiiiging  me  in  the  pursuit.  Emerging  from  the  deep  solitude  of  the  forest, 
the  rich  green  of  the  grain-fields,  the  farm-house  and  cabins  embosomed  amidst 
orchards  of  glowing  purple  and  white,  gave  the  s',vc(!t''st  relief  to  the  eye.  Not 
far  from  the  foot  of  u  high  mountain,  called  Mulders  Hill,  I  overtook  one  of 
those  family  caravans  so  common  in  this  country,  moving  to  the  westward. 
The  procession  oecupied  a  length  of  road,  and  bad  a  formidable  apj>earance, 
though,  as  I  afterwards  understood,  it  was  composi-d  of  the  individuals  of  only 
B  single  family.  In  the  front  went  a  wagon  drawn  by  four  horses,  driven  by 
a  negro,  and  filled  with  implements  of  agriculture;  another  heavy-loaded 
wagon,  with  six  horses,  Aillowed,  attended  by  two  persons;  after  which  came 
a  numerous  and  mingled  group  of  horses,  st^-ers,  cows,  sheep,  hogs,  and  calves 
with  their  bells ;  next  followed  eight  boys  mounted  double,  also  a  negro  wench 
with  a  white  child  beft»re  her;  then  the  mother  with  one  child  behind  her. 
and  another  at  the  breast;  t<'n  or  twelve  colts  brought  up  the  rear,  now  and 
then  picking  herbage,  and  trotting  ahead.  The  father,  a  fresh,  good-looking 
man,  informeil  me  that  he  was  from  Washington  county,  in  Kentucky,  and  was 
going  as  far  as  Cumberland  river;  he  had  two  ropes  fixed  to  the  top  of  the 
wagon,  one  of  which  he  guidi^d  himself,  and  the  other  was  intrusted  to  his 
eldctit  sun,  t^)  koop  it  from  oversetting  iu  ascending  the  mountain.     The  singu- 


■i    I' 


It 


,1.  I 


i'l 


Ixxxvi 


LIFE    OF    WILSON. 


lar  appearance  of  this  moving  group,  (lie  luinglcJ  uiusic  of  the  bells,  and  the 
shoutings  of  the  drivi  is,  uiixotl  with  the  echoes  of  the  mountains,  joined  to 
the  picturesque  solitude  of  the  place,  and  various  reflections  that  hurried 
through  my  mind,  interested  me  greatly ;  and  I  kept  company  with  them  for 
some  time,  to  lend  my  assistiinco  if  necessary. 

"  The  country  now  becaniu  mountainous,  perpetually  oscending  and'descend. 
ing;  and  about  forty-nine  miles  from   Danville,  I  passed   through  a  pigeon 
roost,  or  rather  breeding-place,  which   continued   for   three   miles,  and,  from 
information,  extended  in  length  for  more  than  forty  miles.     The  timber  wuh 
chiefly  beech;  every  tree  was  loaded  with   nests,  and  I  counted,  in  diflferent 
places,  more  than  ninety  nests  on  a  single  tree.      Beyond  this  I  passed  a  largo 
company  of  penpje  engaged   in  erecting  a  horse-mill  for  grinding  grain.     The 
few  cabins  I  passed  were  generally  poor;  but  much  superior  in  appearance  to 
those  I  met  with   on  the  shores  of  the  Ohio.     In  the  evening  I  lodged   near 
the   banks  of  Green  river.     This  stre.-m,  like  al'    the  rest,  is  sunk   in  a  deep 
gulf,  between   high,  perpendicular  walls  of  limestone ;  is  about  thirty  yards 
wide  at  this  place,  and  runs  with  great  rapidity;  but,  as  it  had  fallen  consider 
ably,  I  was  just  able  to  ford  it  without  swininiiiig.     The  water  was  of  a  pale 
greenish  color,  like  that  of  tlie   Licking,  and  some  other  streams,  from  which 
circumstance   I  suppose  it  has  its  name.     The  rocky  banks  of  this  river  arc 
hollowed  out  in  many  places  into  caves  of  enormous  size,  and  of  great  extent. 
These  rocks  abound  with  the  .same  miusscs  of  petrified  shells  so  universal  in 
Kentucky.     In  the  woods,  a  little  beyond  this,  I  met  a  soldier,  on  foot,  from 
Now  Orleans,  who   had    been   robbed  and    plundered    by  the  Choctaws  as  ho 
pa.ssed   through   their  nation.     '  Tliirtceii  or  fourteen    Indians,' said  he, 'sur- 
rounded me  before   I  was  aware,  cut  away  uiy  canteen,  tore  off  my  hat,  took 
the  handkerchief  from  nr,  neck,  and  tlio  hhoes  from  my  feet,  and  all  the  money 
I  liad  fruiii  me,  which  was  about  forty-five  dollars.'     Such  was  his  story.     Ho 
was  going  to  Chilicothe,  and  seemed  pretty  nearly  dom:  up. 

"  In  the  afternoon  I  crossed  another  stream  of  about  twenty-five  yards  in 
width,  called  ■  i:!e  Harrcn  ;  after  which  the  country  begao  to  assume  a  new 
and  very  singular  a|>pearance.  'I'lie  woods,  which  had  hitherto  been  stalely, 
now  degencr!>tcd  into  mcro  scrubby  Saplings,  on  wliich  not  a  bud  was  beginning 
to  unfold,  and  grew  ho  open  that  I  could  see  for  a  mile  th  ough  theui.  No 
dead  timber  or  rolling  leaves  were  to  be  seen,  but  the  whole  face  oi''  ;•  ground 
was  covered  with  rich  verdure,  intersjiersed  with  a  variety  of  very  be..  :tiful 
flowers,  altogether  new  to  me.  It  seemed  a.s  if  the  wh(dti  country  had  onco 
been  one  gt-neral  level ;  but  that  from  some  unknown  cause,  tlie  ground  bad 
been  uiiilfrmiiird,  and  had  j'tilltn  in,  in  innuuierable  places,  forming  regular, 
fiinnel-.shapcd,  concavities  of  all  dimensions,  from  twenty  feet  in  diameti.>r,  and 
six  feet  in  depth,  to  five  hundred  by  fifty,  the  surface  or  verdure  generally 
unbroken.  In  some  tracts  the  surface  was  entirely  destitute  of  trees,  and  thy 
eye  Wus  presented  with  nothing  but  one  general  neighborhood  of  these  conca- 
vities, or.  as  they  ar<i  usually  calle<l,  sink-holes.  .\t  the  centre,  or  bottom  of 
some  of  these,  ojietiings   had  been   made  for   water.      In  several  |iIhccs  the.se 


holes  had    broken    in,  on    the    sides,  and    evi 


liddle    of   th(!    road,   to    uii 


unknown  depth  ;  presenting  their  grim  uiouths  as  if  t<^  swallow  up  the  unwary 


if       t     ' 


LIFE    OF    WILSON. 


Ixxxvii 


traveller.  At  the  bottom  of  one  of  those  declivities,  at  least  fifty  feet  below  the 
general  level,  a  large  rivulet  of  pure  water  issued  ut  once  from  the  mouth  of  a 
cave  about  twelve  feet  wide  and  seven  high.  A  number  of  very  singular 
sweet  smelling  lichens  grew  over  the  entrance,  and  a  pewee  had  fixed  her  nest, 
like  a  little  sentry-box,  on  a  projecting  shelf  of  the  rock  above  the  water. 
The  height  and  dimensions  of  the  cave  continued  the  same  as  far  as  I  waded 
in,  which  might  be  thirty  or  forty  yards,  but  the  darkness  became  so  great  that 
I  was  forced  to  return.  1  observed  numbers  of  small  fish  sporting  about,  and 
I  doubt  not  but  these  abound  even  i.x  its  utmust  subterrancun  recesses.  The 
whole  of  this  country  from  Green  to  lied  river,  is  hollowed  out  into  these 
enormous  caves,  one  of  which,  lately  discovered  in  Warren  county,  about 
eight  miles  from  the  Dripping  Spring,  has  been  explored  for  upwards  of  six 
miles,  extending  under  the  bed  of  the  Green  river.  The  entrance  to  these 
caves  generally  commences  at  the  bottom  of  a  sink-hole ;  and  many  of  them 
are  .used  by  the  inhabitants  as  cellars  or  spring-houses,  having  generally  a 
spring  or  brook  of  clear  water  running  through  them.  I  descended  into  one 
of  these  belonging  to  a  Mr.  Wood,  accompanied  by  the  proprietor,  who  carried 
the  light.  At  fir.st  the  darkness  was  so  intense  that  I  could  scarcely  see  a  few 
feet  beyond  the  circumference  of  the  candle  j  but,  after  being  in  for  five  or 
six  minutes,  the  objects  around  me  began  to  make  their  appearance  more  dis- 
tinctly, tne  bottom,  for  fifteen  or  twenty  yards  at  first,  wa.s  so  irregular,  that 
we  had  constantly  to  climb  over  large  nnusses  of  wot  and  slipi)ery  rocks;  the 
roof  rose  in  many  places  to  the  height  of  twenty  or  thirty  feet,  presenting  all 
the  most  irregular  j)rojections  of  surface,  and  hanging  in  gloomy  and  silent 
horror.  We  passed  numerous  chambers,  or  off-sets,  which  we  did  not  explore; 
and  after  three  hours'  wandering  in  these  profound  regions  of  gloonw  and 
silence,  the  particulars  of  which  would  detain  me  too  long,  I  enijrgoil  with  a 
handkerchief  filled  with  bafti,  including  one  which  1  have  never  seen  described; 
and  a  number  of  cxtraordinaiy  in.sects  of  the  Gryllus  tribe,  with  antenusB 
upwards  of  six  inches  long,  and  which  I  am  persuaded  had  uever  before  seen 
the  light  of  day,  as  they  fled  from  it  with  seeming  terror,  and  I  believe  were 
as  blind  in  it  as  their  companions  the  bats. 

"Great  quantities  of  native  glauber  salta  are  found  in,ihese  eaves,  and  are 
used  by  the  country  people  in  the  same  manner,  and  with  eijual  ofl'ect,  as  those 
of  the  shops.  Hut  the  (>rincipal  jiroduction  is  saltpetre,  which  is  proctired 
from  the  earth. in  great  abundance.  The  cave  in  Warren  county  above  men- 
tioned. ha.s  lately  been  sold  for  three  tluiusand  dollars,  t«  a  saltpetre  company, 
an  in<lividunl  of  which  informed  me  that,  from  every  appearance,  this  cave  had 
been  known  to  the  Indians  many  ages  ago ;  and  had  evidently  been  used  for  the 
same  purposes.  At  the  distance  of  more  than  a  mile  from  the  entrance,  the 
(exploring  party,  on  their  first  visit,  found  the  roof  bluckened  by  smoke,  and 
bundles  of  haU'-burnt  canes  scattered  about.  A  bark  moccasin,  of  curious 
construction,  besides  sevenil  other  Indian  articles,  were  found  among  the  rub- 
bish. The  earth,  also,  lay  piled  in  heaps,  with  great  regularity,  as  if  in  pre- 
paration for  extracting  the  saltpetre. 

"Notwithstanding  the  miserable  appearance  of  the  timber  on  these  barrens, 
the  soil,  to  my  ustouishmeut,  produced  the  most  luxuriant  fields  of  cora  and 


■\ 


V  y 


Ixxxviii 


LIFE    OF    WILSON. 


;  K 


i     ■' 


I" 


« 


i    !     -ii 


wheat  I  had  ever  before  met  with.  Hut  one  great  disadvantage  is  the  want 
of  water,  for  the  whole  running  streams,  witli  wliieh  the  surface  of  this  coun- 
try evidently  once  abounded,  have  been  drained  off  to  a  great  depth,  and  now 
murmur  among  these  lower  regions,  secluded  from  the  day.  One  forenoon  I 
rode  nineteen  miles  without  seeing  water;  while  my  faithful  horse  looked 
round,  but  in  vain,  at  every  hollow,  with  a  wishful  and  languishing  eye,  for 
that  precious  clement.  These  barrens  furnished  me  with  excellent  sport  in 
shooting  grouse,  which  abound  here  in  great  numbers;  and  in  the  delightful 
groves  that  here  and  there  rise  majestically  from  these  plains,  1  found  many 
new  subjects  for  my  Ornithology.  1  observed  all  this  day,  far  to  the  right,  a 
range  of  high  rocky  detached  hills,  or  knobs,  as  they  are  called,  that  skirt  the 
barrens,  as  if  they  had  been  once  tlie  boundaries  of  the  great  lake  that  for- 

.-rly  covered  this  vast  plain.  These,  I  was  told,  abound  with  stone  coal  and 
copperas.  I  crossed  Big  Barren  river  in  a  ferry  boat,  where  it  was  about  one 
hundred  yaids  wide;  and  passed  a  small  village  called  JJowling  (jreen,  near 
which  I  rode  my  horse  up  to  the  summit  of  one  of  these  high  insulated  rocky 
hills,  or. knobs,  which  overlooked  an  immense  circumference  of  country 
spreading  around  bare  and  leafless,  except  where  the  groves  appeared,  in  which 
there  is  usually  water. 

"  Fifteen  miles  from  this,  induced  by  the  novel  character  of  the  country,  I 
put  up  for  several  days,  at  the  house  of  a  pious  and  worthy  Presbyterian 
whence  I  made  excursions,  in  all  directions,  through  the  surrounding  country. 
Between  this  and  Bed  river  the  country  had  a  bare  and  de  olato  appearance. 
Caves  continued  to  be  numerous  ;  and  report  made  some  of  them  places  of 
«oncealment  for  the  dead  bodies  of  certain  strangers,  who  had  disappeared 
there.     One  of  these  lies  near  the  banks  of  the  Red  river,  and  belongs  to  a 

person  of  the  name  of ,  a  man   of  notoriously  bad  character,  and 

strongly  suspected,  even  by  his  neighbors,  of  having  committed  a  foul  murder 
of  this  kind,  which  was  related  to  uie  with  all  its  minutiic  of  horrors.  As  this 
man's  hotise  stands  by  the  road  side,  I  was  induced,  by  motives  of  curiosity, 
to  stop  and  take  a  peep  of  him.  On  my  arrival  I  f  )und  two  persons  in  con- 
versation under  the  piazza,  one  of  whom  informed  me  Uiat  he  was  the  land- 
lord. He  was  a  dark  mulatto,  rather  above  the  common  size,  inclining  to  cor- 
pulency, with  legs  small  in  proportion  to  his  size,  and  walked  lame.  His 
countenance  bespoke  a  soul  capable  of  deeds  of  darkness.  1  had  not  been 
three  minutes  in  company  when  he  invited  the  other  man  (who  I  understood 
was  a  traveller),  and  myself,  to  walk  back  and  see  his  cave,  to  which  T  imme- 
diately consented.  The  entrance  is  in  the  perp^-ndicular  front  of  a  rock, 
behind  the  house;  has  a  door  with  a  lock  and  key  to  it,  and  was  crowded  with 
pots  of  milk,  placed   near  the  running  stream.     The  roof  and  sides  of  solid 

rock  Were  wet  and  dropping  with  water.     Desiring to  walk   before 

with  the  lights,  I  followed  with  my  hand  on  my  pistol,  reeonnoitering  on  every 
side,  and  listening  to  his  description  of  ita  length  and  extont.  After  examin- 
ing this  horrible  vault  for  forty  or  fifty  yards,  he  declined  going  any  further, 
complaining  of  a  rheuiiiatism  ;  and  1  now  first  perceived  that  the  (jther  person 
had  stayed  behind,  and  that  we  two  were  alone  together.  Confident  in  my 
means  of  self  dcftnce,  whatever  mischief  the  devil  might  suggest  to  him,  I 


LIFE    OP   WILSON. 


Ixxxix 


fixed  my  eyes  steadily  on  his,  and  observed  to  him,  that  he  could  not  be  igno- 
rant of  the  reports  circulated  about  the  country  relative  to  this  cave.  '  I 
suppose,'  said  I,  '  you  know  what  I  mean  ?'  '  Yes,  I  understand  you,'  re- 
turned he,  without  appearing  the  least  embarrassed,  'that  1  killed  somebody 
and  threw  them  into  this  cave — I  can  tell  you  iho  whole  beginning  of  tliiit 
damned  lie,'  said  he;  and,  without  moving  from  the  spot,  he  detailed  to  me  a 
long  story,  which  would  fill  half  my  letter,  to  little  purpose,  and  which,  with 
other  particulars,  I  shall  re.-icrve  for  your  amusement  when  we  meet.  I  asked 
him  why  ho  did  not  get  the  cave  examined  by  three  or  four  reputable  neigh- 
bors, whose  report  might  rescue  his  character  from  the  8UBj)icion  of  having 
committed  so  horrid  a  crime.  lie  acknowledged  it  would  be  well  enough  to 
do  so;  but  did  not  seem  to  think  it  worth  the  trouble;  and  we  returned  aa 

wo  advanced, walking  before  with  the  lights.     Whether  this  man 

be  guilty  or  not  of  the  transaction  laid  to  his  cJiarge  I  know  not;  but  his 
manners  and  aspect  are  such  as  by  no  means  to  allay  suspicion, 

"  After  crossing  Red  river,  which  is  here  scarce  twenty  yards  broad,  I  found 
no  more  barrens.  The  timber  was  large,  and  the  woods  fast  thickening  with 
green  leaves.  As  I  cnterc'd  the  state  of  Tennessee,  the  face  of  the  country 
became  hilly,  and  even  mountainous.  After  descending  an  immense  declivity, 
and  coursing  along  tlie  rich  valley  of  Maiiskers  creek,  where  I  again  met  with 
large  flocks  of  paro((ucts,  I  stopped  at  a  small  tavern,  to  examine,  for  three  or 
lour  days,  this  part  of  the  country.  Here  I  made  some  interesting  additions 
to  my  stock  of  new  subjects  for  the  Ornithology.  On  the  fourth  day  I  crossed 
the  Cumberland,  where  it  is  about  two  hundred  and  fii'ty  yards  wide,  and  of 
great  depth,  bounded  as  usual  with  high  precipitous  banks,  and  reached  the 
town  of  Nashville,  which  towers  like  a  fortress  above  the  river.  Here  I  have 
been  busily  employed  these  eight  days ;  and  send  you  the  enclosed  parcel  of 
drawings,  the  result  of  every  moment  of  leisure  and  convenience  I  could 
obtain.  Many  of  the  birds  are  altogether  new ;  and  you  will  find  along  with 
them  every  explanation  necessary  for  your  purpose. 

"  You  may  rest  assured  of  hearing  from  me  by  the  first  opportunity  after 
my  arrival  at  Natchez.  In  the  mean  time  I  receive  with  much  pleasure  the 
accounts  you  give  me  of  the  kind  in(iuiries  of  my  friends.  To  me  nothing 
could  be  more  welcome ;  for  whether  journeying  in  this  world,  or  journeying 
to  that  which  is  to  come,  there  is  something  of  desolation  and  despair  in  the 
idea  of  being  for  ever  forgotten  in  our  absence,  by  those  whom  we  sincerely 
esteem  and  regard." 

To  Mr.  Alkxandeii  Lawson. 

Natchez,  Missis.sippi  Territory,  May  18th,  1810. 
"  Dear  Sir. 

"  About  three  weeks  ago  I  wrote  to  you  from  Nashville,  enclosing  throe 

sheets  of  drawings,  which  I  hope  you  have  received.*     I  was  at  that  time  on 

the  point  of  setting  out  for  St   Louis ;  but  being  detained  a  week  by  constant 

and  heavy  rains,  and  considering  that  it  would  add  four  hundred  miles  to  my  jour- 


•  These  tlrttwings  never  came  to  hand. 


■!■! 


I 


a, 


H£uki 


«wT7r 


r 


i  h 


( ' 


g|i-  LIFE   OF    WILSON. 

noy,  and  dotiiin  me  at  least  a  moath ;  and  the  season  being  ulrondj  fur  «d. 
Vimcod,  and  no  sulweribors  to  bo  expected  there,  I  ubiiiulimed  tlie  idea,  ami 
prepared  for  a  journey  tlirouj;h  the  wiiderneMH.     I  wa.i  advised  Ijy  many  not 
to  attempt  it  alone;  that  the   Indians  were  dangerous,  the  swamps  and  rivtrs 
almost  impassable  without  assistance,  and  a  thousand  other  hobgcjblinti  were 
conjured  up  to  dissuade  mo  from  j;oing  it/oiii\      Hut  I  wciglied  all  these  mut- 
ters  in  my  own  mind;  and  attributing  a  great  deal  of  this  to  vulgar  fears  and 
exaggerated  reports,  I  ecpiipped  myself  for  the  attempt.     I  rode  an  execllent 
horse,  on  which  I  eould  depend  ;  I  had  a  loaded  pistol  in  eiicli  pocket,  a  loaded 
fowling  piece  belted  across   my  shoulder,  a  pound  id'  gun|)owd(^r  in   my  flask 
and  live  pounds  of  shot  in  my  belt.     I  bouglit  some  biscuit  and  dried  beef,  and 
on  Friday  morning,  .May  -Uh,  I  left  Nashville.     About  half  a  mile  from  town 
I  observed  a  poor  negro  with  fwn  wooden  legs,  building  him.self  a  cabin  in  tliu 
woods.     Supposing  that  this  journey  migiit  afford  you  and  my  friends  some 
amusement,  1  kept  a  particular  account  of  the  various  occurrences,  and  shall 
transcribe  some  of  the  most  interesting,  omitting  everything  relative  to  my 
Ornithological    excursions    and    discoveries,    us    more  suitable    for    another 
occasion. 

"  Kleven  miles  from  Nashville,  I  came  to  the  Great  Ilarpath,  a  stream  of 
about  fifty  yards  wide,  which  was  running  with  great  violence.  I  could  not 
discover  the  entrance  of  the  ford,  owing  to  tiio  ruins  and  inundations.  There 
was  no  time  to  be  lost,  [  plunged  in,  and  almost  immediately  my  liorse  was 
swimming.  I  set  liis  head  aslant  the  current,  and  being  strong,  he  soon  landed 
me  on  the  other  side.  As  the  weather  was  warm,  1  rode  in  my  wet  clothes  with- 
out any  inconvenience.  The  country  to-day  wjis  a  perpetual  succession  of  steep 
hills  and  low  bottoms;  I  ero.stied  ten  or  twelve  large  creeks,  one  of  which  I  swam 
with  n)y  horse,  where  ho  was  near  being  entangleil  among  some  bad  driftwond. 
Now  and  then  a  solitary  farm  opened  from  the  woods,  where  the  negro  children 
were  running  naked  about  the  yards,  I  also  passed  along  the  north  side  of  a 
high  hill,  where  the  whole  timber  iiad  been  prostrated  by  some  terrible  hurri- 
cane. I  lodged  this  night  in  a  miner's,  who  t<dd  uic  he  had  been  engaged  in 
forming  no  less  than  tliirtecn  companies  for  hunting  mines,  all  of  whom  had 
left  him.  1  advised  him  to  follow  his  farm,  as  the  surest  vein  of  ore  he  could 
work. 

"Next  day  (Saturday)  T  first  observe '  the  cane  growing,  wliieh  increased 
until  the  whole  woods  were  I'M  ol  it.  'I'he  road  this  day  winded  along  tiie 
high  ridges  of  mountains  that  divide  the  waters  of  tin;  Cumberland  IVom  those 
of  the  Tennessee.  I  passed  few  liouses  to-day;  but  met  several  parties  of  boat- 
men returning  from  Natchez  and  New  Orleans;  who  gave  me  such  an  account 
of  the  road,  and  the  difficulties  they  had  met  with,  us  served  to  stitlen  my 
resolution  to  bo  prepared  for  everything.  These  men  were  as  dirty  as  llotten- 
t<its  ;  their  dress  a  shirt  and  trow.sers  of  canvas,  black,  greasy,  and  sometimes 
in  tatters;  the  skin  burnt  wherever  exposed  to  the  sun ;  each  with  a  budget, 
wrapped  up  in  an  old  blanket;  their  beards,  eighteen  days  old,  added  to  the 
flingularity  of  their  appearance,  wliich  was  altogether  savage.  These  people 
came  from  the  various  tributary  streams  of  llie  Ohio,  hired  at  firty  or  fifty 
dollars  a  trip,  U)  return  back  on  their  own  expenses.     Some  had  upwards  of 


LIFE    OF    WILSON. 


xci  ♦ 


eight  huiiilrcd  iiiile8  to  travel.  W'Iumi  tliuy  coiiiu  to  UHtruam  tliat  Ih  unfurdublo, 
thoy  coast  it  for  a  fallon  treo :  if  that  cutiiiot  bo  had,  tlu'y  enter  with  thoir 
budgt^t  on  their  heud,  and  when  they  h>Hc  bottom,  drop  it  on  their  Hliouldors, 
uiid  take  to  Hwiiiiiiiiri'r.  They  liavo  Noiiietiiiie.s  fourtrca  or  fil'teen  of  ouch 
otreaniH  to  pas.s  in  a  duj,  and  niorus.ses  of  s^everai  niile.s  in  length,  tliat  1  have 
Dover  seen  e(|ualled  in  any  country.  I  Kidgcd  this  night  at  one  J>obbiuH'8, 
where  ton  or  twelve  of  these  men  lay  on  the  floor.  A.s  they  scrambled  up  in 
the  morning,  they  very  generally  complained  of  bying  unwell,  for  which  they 
gave  au  odd  reason,  lying  within  iloors,  it  being  the  first  of  fifteen  nights  they 
had  been  so  indulged. 

"Next  morning  (Sunday)  I  rude  six  miles  to  a  man's,  of  the  name  of 
Orindor,  whore  our  poor  friend  Lewis  perished.*  In  the  same  room  where 
he  expired,  I  took  down  from  Mrs.  (Jrinder  the  particul.irs  of  that  melancholy 
event,  which  affected  me  extremely.  This  house,  or  cabin,  is  seventy-two  miles 
from  Nashville,  and  is  the  last  white  nuin's  as  you  enter  the  Indian  country. 
Oovcrnor  Lewis,  i>!>e  said,  came  hither  about  .sunset,  alone,  and  in(|uired  if  he 
could  stay  for  the  night;  and,  alighting,  brought  bis  saddle  into  the  house. 
He  was  dres.ted  in  a  loose  gown,  white,  striped  with  blue.  On  being  asked 
if  ho  came  alone,  he  replied  that  there  were  two  servants  behind,  who  would 
goon  be  up.  He  called  for  some  .spirit.s,  and  drank  a  very  little.  When  the 
servants  arrived,  one  of  whom  was  a  negro,  he  inipiired  for  his  powder,  saying 
he  was  sure  he  had  some  powder  in  a  canister.  The  servant  gave  no  distinct 
reply,  and  Lewis,  in  the  meanwhile,  walkeil  backwards  and  forwards  before 
the  door,  talking  to  him.self.  Sometimes,  .she  said,  he  would  seem  as  if  ho 
were  walking  up  to  her;  and  would  suddenly  wheel  round,  and  walk  back  as 
fast  itf  he  could.  Supper  being  ready,  be  sat  down,  but  hail  eaten  only  a  few 
moutbfuls  when  be  started  up,  sp(!aking  to  himself  in  a  viident  manner.  At 
these  times,  she  says,  she  observed  his  face  to  flush  as  if  it  had  come  on  him 
in  a  fit.  Ho  lighted  his  pipe,  and  drawing  a  chair  to  the  door  sat  down,  saying 
to  Mrs.  (Jrinder,  in  a  kind  tone  of  voice,  •  .Madam,  this  is  a  very  jileasant  even- 
ing.' lie  smoked  for  some  time,  but  (|uitted  !iis  seat  and  traversed  the  yard 
as  before.  He  again  sat  down  to  his  pipe,  seemed  again  composed,  and  casting 
his  eyes  wistfully  tuwards  tln^  we^t,  ol)served  what  a  sweet  evening  it  was. 
Mrs.  (jrinder  wa.s  preparing  a  bed  for  him;  but  he  said  he  would  sleep  on  the 
floor,  and  desired  the  servant  to  bring  the  bear-skins  and  buffalo  robe, 
which  were  immediately  spread  out  for  him;  and,  it  being  now  dusk,  the 
women  went  off  to  the  kitchen,  ami  the  two  men  to  the  barn,  which  stands 
about  two  hundred  yards  otT.  The  kitchen  is  only  a  few  paces  from  the  rooi  i 
where  Lewis  was,  and  tho  woni.'in,  being  considerably  alarmed  by  the  behavior 
of  her  guest,  could  not  sleep,  but  listened  to  him  walking  backwards  and  ibr- 


•  It  it  fiardly  necessary  to  stnlo,  tlint  thiit  was  tlio  linive  and  cntcrprisin):  traveller, 
whoso  journey  across  jlie  Uocky  Jtountuins,  to  the  I'acitic  Ocean,  has  obtained  for  him 
well-nicriteil  celebrity.  The  true  cause  of  his  committing  the  rash  deed,  so  I'celincly 
dctuiltil  tiluivf,  is  not  yet  known  to  the  public  ;  but  liis  IViends  will  not  soon  t'ort^cl  tho 
biis"  iini'utaiiiitii  and  cruel  ne);lcot,  which  the  honorable  mind  of  tho  gallant  soldier  kaew 
Dot  how  to  laook. 


P" 


i  I 


'^       f: 

f 


xcu 


Ul^H   OF    WIL80 


■  J' v.. ''J  -.: 


ward»,  Bho  thinko,  for  sovcrul  hours,  nnd  tulking  aloud,  ati  »ho  w»id,  '  like  a 

Uwyei.'     She  then  lu'iinl  tlio  report  of  ii  ]>\kU<\,  iukI  Hoinptliini;  Cull  liciivily  on 

the  floor,  nnd  flie  words  •  0  Lord ."     Inmii'diiitrly  utt.rwiirdn  tdio  lu'iird  nnotlier 

piHtol,  mid  in  11  few  niinutt's  slio  hoard  liim  iit  her  door  eallinn  out  'O,  madam! 

give  me  tome  water,  and  hral  mi/  ii'uuiid».'     Tlio   higH   heing  open,  and   un- 

plastered,  whe  saw  him   stng^'er  back   nnd   lail   npiinst  a  ntunip  that   wtanda 

between   the  kitehen  and  room,      lie  erawled  for  some  distanee,  and  rained 

himself  by  the  side  of  a  tree,  where  ho  sat  about  n  niinuto.     Ilo  onco  more 

pot  to  the  room;   afterwards  ho  eanio  to  tlio  kitehen  door,  but   did   not  speak  : 

»he  then  heard  him  serapin;/  the  bucket  with  a  nourd  lor  water;  but  it  appears 

that  this  cooling  elcnient  was  denied  the  dying  man  I     As  soon  us  day  broke, 

and   not   before,  the  terror  of  the  woman  having  permitted   him  to  remuin  for 

two   hours   in   this   mo.-t   (ieplorable  siliialion,  she  sent  two  of  her  eliiidrun   to 

the  barn,  her  hii.sband  not  Ining  at  home,  to  bring  the  servants;  and  on  going 

in  thev  found  him  lying  on  the  bed;  he  uneovered   his  side,  and  showed  iheni 

where  the  bullet  had  entered;  a  piece  of  the  forehead  was  blown  off.  and   had 

expo.sed  the  brains,  without  having  bled  much.     He  begged  they  would  take 

his  rifle  and  blow  out  his  brains,  and  \u-  would  give  them  all  the  money  he  had 

in  hiB  .runk.      He  often  said,  '  1  am  no  coward  ;  but    I   am  .<«  strong,  an  fmrd 

to  die.'     lie  begged  the  servant  not  to  be  afraid  of  him.  for  that  he  would  not 

hurt  him.     He  exjiired  in  about  tw.p  hours,  or  just  as  the  sun  roS(!  above  the 

trees.      He  lies  buried  close  by  the  eouimon  path,  with  a  few  loost;  nlils  thrown 

over  his  grave.     I  gave  (irimler  mon.y  to  put  a  jiosi  fence  r<mnd  it,  to  shelter 

it  fnun  the  hogs,  niul  from  the  wolves ;  and  he  gave  mo  his  written  promise  he 

would  do  it,      I  Ictt  this  place  in  a  very  mclmcholy  mood,  which  wa.s  not  much 

allayed  by  the  jirospeet  of  the  gloomy  and  savage  wilderness  which  I  was  just 

cntering|.alone. 

♦  **♦**♦* 

"T  was  rou.sed  from  this  uielancboly  reverie  by  the  n  aring  of  Huffalo  river, 
which  I  forded  with  eoiisiilerable  difliculty.  I  j(as.xed  two  ur  three  solitary 
Indian  huts  in  the  course  of  the  day,  with  a  few  acres  of  open  land  at  each  ; 
but  .^;.  wretchedly  eiiltiv:ited,  that  they  just  make  out  to  raise  mai/.e  etioUL'h  to 
keep  in  existence.  'J'luy  pciintcd  me  out  the  di.slanees  by  holding  up  their 
lingers.  This  is  the  country  of  (he  Chieka.saws.  though  erroneously  laid  down 
in  some  maps  a.s  that  of  the  Cherokees.  [  slept  this  night  in  one  of  their 
huf.s;  the  Indians  spread  a  deer  skin  for  me  on  the  floor,  I  made  a  pillow  of 
my  portmanteau,  and  slept  tolerably  well ;  an  old  Indian  laid  himself  down 
near  me. 

"On  .Monday  morning  I  rode  fifteen  miles,  and  stopped  at  an  Indian's  to 
feed  my  horse.  The  sight  of  my  paroijiu-t  brought  the  whole  family  around 
me.  The  women  are  generally  naked  from  the  middle  upwards;  and  their 
beads,  in  many  instances,  being  rarely  combed,  look  like  a  large  mop;  thev 
hav  a  yard  or  two  of  blue  cloth  wrapped  round  by  way  of  petticoat,  that 
reaches  to  their  knees — the  boys  wi-re  generally  naked  ;  except  a  kind  of  bag 
of  blue  cloth,  by  way  tA'  jlj-lmf.  Some  of  the  women  have  a  short  jacket, 
with  sleeves,  drawn  over  their  naked  body,  and  the  rag  of  a  blanket  is  a  general 
ajipendajrt;.      i  mot  to-day  iwu  oflicers  id'  the  Lnited  i^tates  army,  who  gave  me 


! 


LIFE   OF   WILSON. 


xciil 


a  botUir  nccount  of  tho  road  thnn  1  had  rocoivod.  I  piisscd  thnxigli  iiiiiny  bad 
HWBiiip.H  today  ;  anil  at  about  livti  in  tbo  cveniriK  camo  to  tlxi  hniikM  of  tbo 
'riMint'HMt'o,  wbicb  wiiH  hwuIIimI  by  tbo  ruinn,  anil  is  about  balf  a  niiio  wido  tbirty 
niiloH  below  tho  MuhcIu  SboaU,  and  junt  below  a  lonfi;  inland  laid  down  in 
your  Hiiiall  map.  A  firowtb  of  cancM,  of  twenty  and  thirty  feet  hiffh,  covers 
tho  low  bottouiM  ;  and  these  eane  Hwainjtn  arc  the  ^loumiettt  and  most  desolato 
looking  pluccH  imaginable.  I  hailed  for  tho  boat  uh  lon^  oh  it  waH  light,  with- 
out ell'eet ;  I  then  sought  out  a  i)la(;o  to  encamp,  kindled  a  large  fire,  stripped 
tho  canes  for  uiy  horse,  eat  a  bit  of  supper,  and  lay  down  to  sleep ;  listening  to 
the  owl."!,  and  tho  dhmk-  Willt-  Wiiloir,  a  kind  of  Whipjiixir-  Will,  that  is  very 
numerous  bore.  I  got  up  several  times  during  the  night  to  recruit  my  lire, 
and  sec  how  my  horse  did  ;  and,  but  for  the  gnats,  would  have  slept  tolerably 
well.  These  gigantic  woods  have  a  sing\iliir  cffeet  by  the  light  of  a  large  fire  j 
the  wholo  scene  being  circumscribed  by  impenetrable  darkness,  except  thot  in 
front,  where  every  leaf  is  strongly  defined,  and  deeply  shaded. 

••  In  the  morning  I  bunted  until  abo\it  six,  when  I  again  renewed  my  shout^ 
ings  for  tho  boat,  and  it  was  not  until  near  cloven  that  it  niado  its  appearance. 
I  was  so  enraged  at  this  delay,  that,  bad  I  not  l)een  cumbenMl  with  baggage,  I 
belii;ve  I  should  have  ventured  to  swim  the  river.  I  vented  my  indignation 
on  the  owner  of  tho  boat,  who  is  a  half-breed,  threatening  to  publish  him  in 
the  papers,  and  advise  every  traveller  I  met  to  take  tint  upper  ferry.  This  man 
chiirges  one  ibjllar  for  man  and  horse,  ami  thinks,  beeau.se  ho  is  a  chief,  he  may 
do  in  this  way  what  he  pleasi^s.  Tin?  country  now  assumed  a  new  appearance ; 
no  brushwood — no  fallen  or  rotten  timber;  ono  could  seo  a  milo  through  tho 
woods,  which  \'^  -overed  with  high  gr;iss  fit  for  mowing.  These  woods  are 
burnt  every  sp  id  thus  are  ke|it  so  remarkably  clean,  that  they  look  like 

the  most  cicgaiii  iioiilenicn's  parks.  A  profusion  of  flowers,  altogether  new  ti) 
me,  and  some  of  them  very  elegant,  presented  themselves  to  my  view  as  I  rode 
along.  This  must  be  a  heavenly  place  for  the  butani^<t.  The  most  oliservablo 
of  these  flowers  wiw  a  kind  of  Sweet  William,  of  all  tints,  from  white,  to  tho 
deepest  crimson.  A  superb  Thistle,  the  most  beautiful  I  had  ever  seen.  A 
sjiccies  (d'  I'a.ssion  flower,  very  beautiful,  A  stately  plant  of  the  Sunflower 
family — the  button  of  the  deepest  orange,  and  the  radiating  petals  bright 
carmine,  tho  breadth  of  the  flower  about  four  inches  A  large  white  flower 
like  a  deer's  tail.  (Ircat  i|u:intitii's  of  the  Sensitive  plant,  that  shrunk  instantly 
on  being  touched,  covered  tbo  ground  in  some  places.  Almost  every  flower  was 
new  to  me,  except  the  Carolina  I'iiik-root,  and  Colombo,  which  grew  in  abun- 
dance on  every  side.  .\t  Hear  creek,  which  is  u  large  and  rapid  stream,  I  first 
observed  the  Indian  boy.s  with  their  lilnw-jimii.  These  are  tubes  of  cane  seven 
feet  long,  and  perfectly  straight,  when  well  inailc.  The  arrows  are  made  of 
slender  slipn  of  cane,  twisted,  and  straightened  before  the  firo,  and  covered  for 
Bcveral  inches  at  one  end  with  the  ib.wii  of  thistles,  in  a  spiral  form,  .so  as  just 
to  enter  the  tube.  I5y  a  putf  they  ciiii  .send  these  with  such  violence  iw  to  enter 
tho  body  of  a  partridge,  twenty  yards  off.  I  set  several  of  them  a  hunting 
birils  by  promises  of  reward,  but  not  one  of  them  could  succeed.  I  al.so  tried 
some  of  tbo  blow-guns  myself,  but  found  theiu  generally  defective  in  straight- 
neat).     I  mot  six  parties  of  boatmen  to-day,  and  many  straggling  Indians,  and 


4 


W4 


V      1 


■;1 


it' 


t  ; 


XCIV 


LIFE   OF    WILSON. 


cncnmpoJ  about  sunset  near  a  small  brook,  where  I  shot  a  turkey,  and  on 
return'. ig  to  my  fire  found  four  boatmen,  who  stayed  with  mo  all  night,  and 
helped  to  pick  the  bones  of  the  turkey  In  the  morning  I  heard  the  turkeys 
gobbling  all  round  me,  but  not  wishing  to  leave  my  horse,  having  no.  great 
faith  in  my  guesits'  honesty,  I  proceeded  on  my  journey. 

"  This  day  (Wednesday)  I  passed  through  the  most  horrid  swamps  I  had 
ever  seen.     Thesa  are  covered  with  a  prodigious  growth  of  canes,  and  high 
woods,  which  together,  shut  out  almost  the  whole  ligl't  of  day  for  miles.     The 
ba  iks  of  the  deep  and  sJufrgish  creeks,  that  occuj.y  che  centre,  are  precipitous, 
where  I  had  often  to  plunge  my  horse  seven  fct  down,  into  a  bed  of  deep  clay 
up  to  his  belly ;  from  which  nothing  but  great  strength  and  exer»ion  cc.ald 
have  rescued  him ;  the  opposite  shore  was  eq.'ally  bad,  and  beggars  all  descrip 
tion.    -For  an  extent  of  several  miles,  on  both  sides  of  these  creeks,  the  dark- 
ness of  night  obscures  every  object  around.     On  emerging  from  one  of  the 
worst  of  these,  I  met  General  Wade  Hampton,  with  two  servants,  and  a  pack- 
horse,  going,  as  he  said,  towards  Nashville.     I  told  him  of  the  mud  campaign 
immediately  before  him  ;  I  was  covered  with  mire  and  wet,  and  I  thought  he 
looked  somewhat  serious  at  the  difficulties  he  was  about  to  engage.      He  has 
been  very  sick  lately.      About  half  an  hour  before  sunset,  being  within  sight 
of  the  Indian's  where  I  intendea  to  lodge,  the  cening  being  perfectly  clear 
and  calm.  I  laid  the  reins  on  my  horse's  neck,  to  listen  to  a  .Mocking-bird,  the 
firet  I  had  heard  in  the  western  country,  which,  perched  on  the  t  tp  of  a  dead 
.'>e  before  the  door,  was  pouring  out  a  torrent  of  me'ody.      I  think   I  never 
lir.srd  80  exccUcnt  a  performer.     I  had  alighted,  and  was  fastening  my  hor,ie, 
v.  i;en  hearing  the  rcfiort  of  a  rifle  inim<-diately  beside  me,  I  looked  up  and  saw 
the  poor  Mocking-bird  fluttering  to  tlie  ground.    <.>ne  of  the  savages  hail  marked 
his  elevation,  and  barbarously  shot  him.     1  hastened  over  into  the  yard,  and 
walking  up  to  him,  told  liim  that  was  bad.  very  bad  I     That  this  ;\)or  bird  had 
come  from  a  far  distant  country  to  sing  to  him,  and  Jln't  in   return   he  had 
cruelly  killed  him.     I  told  him  the  Great  Spirit  was  offended  at  such  cruelty, 
and  that  1      would  lusc  many  a  deer  for  doing  so.     The  old  Indian,  father-in- 
law  to  the  bird-killer,  tindersfanding  by  the  negro  interpreter  what    I  said, 
replied,  that  when  these  birds  come  singing  and  making  a  noise  all  day  near 
the  house,  mnnrhoilj/  will  mreli/  tlie — which  is  exactly  what  an  old  superstitious 
German,  near   Hampton   in  Virginia,  once  toM   me.     This  fellow  liad  married 
the  two  ehlcst  daugiiters  of  the  old  Indian,  and  presented  one  of  them  with  the 
bird  he  had  killed. 

"The  next  <lay  I  pa.ssed  •hrongh  t'le  Chickasaw  liiij-tnirn,  which  stands  on 
the  high  open  plain,  that  cxfctuls  through  their  country,  three  or  four  miles  ni 
breadth,  by  fifteen  in  length.  Here  and  there  you  perceive  little  p;roups  of 
niiscrabie  huts,  formed  of  .saplings  and  plastered  wifh  mud  and  clay;  about 
these  are  generally  a  few  peach  and  plum  trees.  Many  ruins  of  others  stand 
scattered  about,  and  I  (juej^tion  whether  there  were  twenty  inhabited  huts 
within  the  whole  range  of  view.  The  ground  was  red  with  strawberries  ;  and 
the  boatmen  were  seen  in  straggii.g  parties  feasting  on  the?n.  Now  and  then 
a  solitary  Indian,  wrapped  In  bin  bi.mkcf,  passed  sullen  and  silent.  On  this 
plain  are  beds  of  shells,  of  a  large  species  of  clam,  sumu  of  whiuh  are  almost 


LIFE    OF    WILSON. 


XOV 


Ullll 

liud 

hud 

■Ity, 

!r-in- 

Huid, 

near 

:i()iiH 

rrit'd 

tho 

IM  on 

I'H  hi 

of 

out 

t.'lllil 

lllltH 

and 
h.'n 
this 

IIOBt 


entire.  I  this  dny  stopped  at  the  house  of  a  white  man,  who  had  two  Indian 
wives,  and  a  hopeful  string  of  young  savages,  all  in  their  fig-leaves;  not  one 
of  them  could  speak  a  word  of  English.  This  man  was  by  birth  a  Virginian, 
and  had  been  forty  years  among  tho  Chickasaws.  His  countenoTice  and  man- 
ners were  savage  and  worse  than  Indian.  I  met  many  parties  of  boatmen  to-day, 
and  crossed  n  number  of  bad  swamps.  The  woods  continued  to  exhibit  the 
same  open  luxuriant  appearance,  and  at  night  I  lodged  at  a  white  man's,  who 
has  filno  two  wives,  and  a  numerous  progeny  of  young  savages.  Here  I  met 
with  a  lieutenant  of  tho  United  States  army,  anxiously  inquiring  for  General 
Hampton. 

"  On  Friday  the  same  open  woods  continued ;  I  met  several  parties  of 
Indians,  and  passed  two  or  three  of  their  hamlets.  At  one  of  these  were  two 
fires  in  the  yard,  and  at  each,  eight  or  ten  Indians,  men  and  women,  squat  on 
tho  ground.  In  these  hamlets  there  is  generally  one  house  built  of  a  circular 
form,  and  plastered  thickly  all  over  without  and  within  with  clay.  This  they 
call  a  hot  houxe,  and  it  is  the  general  winter  quarters  of  the  hamlet  in  cold 
weather.  Here  they  all  kennel,  and  having  neither  window  nor  place  for  the 
smoke  to  escape,  it  must  be  a  sweet  place  while  forty  or  fifty  of  them  have  it 
in  occupancy.  Round  some  of  these  hamlets  were  great  droves  of  cattle, 
horses  and  hogs.  I  lodged  this  night  on  the  top  of  a  hill  far  from  water,  and 
suffered  severely  for  thirst. 

"  On  Saturday  I  passed  a  number  of  most  execrable  sw.-vraps,  the  weather 
was  extremely  warm,  and  I  had  been  attacked  by  something  like  the  dysentery, 
which  occasioned  a  constant  burning  thirst,  and  weakened  me  gruatly.  I  stopppd 
this  day  frequently  to  wash  my  head  and  throat  in  the  water,  to  allay  the  burn- 
ing thirst,  and  putting  on  my  hat,  without  wiping,  received  considerable  relief 
from  it.  Since  crossing  tho  Tennessee  the  woods  have  been  interspersed  with 
pine,  and  the  soil  has  become  more  sandy.  This  day  I  met  a  Captain  Hughes, 
a  traveller,  on  his  return  from  Santa  I'e.  My  complaint  increased  so  much 
that  I  could  scarcely  sit  on  horseback,  and  all  night  my  mouth  and  throat 
were  pareln'd  with  a  burning  thirst  and  fever. 

"  On  Sunday  I  bought  some  raw  eggs  which  I  ate.  I  repeated  the  dose  at 
mid-day,  and  towards  evening,  and  found  great  benefit  from  thi?  simple 
remedy.  I  inqtiired  all  along  the  road  for  fresh  eggs,  and  for  nearly  a  week 
made  them  almo.st  my  sole  food,  till  I  comi)letcd  my  cure.  The  water  in  these 
cane  swamps  is  little  better  than  poison ;  and  under  the  heat  of  a  burning  sun, 
and  the  fatigues  of  travelling,  it  is  difficult  to  repre&s  the  urgent  calls  of  thirst. 
On  the  Wednesday  following,  I  was  assailed  by  a  tremendous  storm  of  rain, 
wii:'  and  lightning,  until  I  and  my  horse  were  both  blinded  by  the  deluge, 
and  unable  to  go  on.  I  sought  tho  first  most  open  place,  and  dismounting 
stood  for  half  an  liTiur  under  the  most  profuse  heavenly  nhoirrr-finlh  I  ever 
enjoyed.  The  roaring  of  the  storm  was  terrible;  several  trees  around  me 
were  broken  off,  and  torn  up  by  tho  root,s,  and  those  that  stood  were  bent  almos* 
i.t  the  ground  ;  limbs  of  trees  of  several  hundred  weiglit  flew  pa.<t  within  a  few 
yards  of  me,  and  I  was  astonished  how  I  escaped.  I  would  rather  take  my 
chance  in  a  field  of  battle,  than  in  such  a  tornado  again. 

"On   tho  fourteenth  day  of  my  journey,  at  noon,  I  arrived  at  this  place 


♦1 


H*  i 
u 


XCVl 


LIFE    OF    WILSON. 


having  overcome  every  obstacle,  alone,  and  without  being  acquainted  with  the 
country;  and  what  surprised  the  boatmen  more,  without  whiskey.  On  an 
average  I  ract  from  f^riy  to  sixty  boatmen  every  day,  returning  from  this  place 
and  New  Orleans.  The  Chickasaws  are  a  friendly,  inoffensive  people,  and  the 
Choctaws,  though  more  reserved,  arc  equally  harmless.  Hoth  of  them  treated 
me  with  civility,  though  I  several  times  had  occasion  to  pass  through  their 
camps,  where  many  of  them  were  drunk.  The  paroquet  which  I  carried  with 
me  was  a  continual  fund  of  amusement  to  all  ages  of  these  people ;  and  as 
thev  crowded  around  to  look  at  it,  gave  me  an  opportunity  of  studying  their 
physiognomies,  without  breach  of  good  manners. 

'•  In  thus  ha.xtily  running  ov<!r  the  particulars  of  this  journey,  i  am  obliged 
to  omit  much  that  would  amuse  and  interest  you ;  but  my  present  situation, 
a  noisy  tavern,  crowded  in  every  corner,  even  in  the  room  where  I  write,  with 
the  sons  of  riot  and  dissipation,  prevents  me  from  enlarging  on  particulars. 
I  couli  also  have  wished  t^i  give  you  some  account  of  this  place,  and  of  the 
celebrated  Mississippi,  of  which  you  have  heard  so  much.  On  these  subjects, 
however,  I  can  at  present  only  offer  you  the  following  slight  sketch,  taken  the 
morning  after  i;)y  arrival  hero. 

'•  The  best  view  of  this  place  and  surrounding  scenery,  is  from  the  old  Span- 
ish fort  on  the  south  side  of  the  town,  about  a  <|uarter  of  a  mile  distant. 
From  this  high    pidnt.  lonkiiig  up  llie   river,  Natchez  lies  on  your  right,  a 
mingled  group  of  green  trees,  and  white  and  rod  houses,  occupying  an  uneven 
plain,  much  washed  into  ravines,  rising  as  it  recedes  from  the  bluff  or  high 
precipitous  bank  of  the  river.     There  is,  however,  neither  steeple,  cupola,  nor 
distinguished  object  to  add  interest  to  its  appearance.     The  ctiuntry  beyond  it 
to  the  right  is  thrown  up  info  the  same  irregular  knolls  ;  and  at  the  distance 
of  a  mile,  in  the  same  direction,  you  have  a  peep  of  some  cultivatcMl  farms, 
bounded  by  the  general  forest.     On  your  left  you  look  down,  at  a  depth  of 
two  or  three  hundred  feet,  on  the  river,  winding  majestically  to  the  south;  (ht; 
intermediate  space  exhibiting  wild  perpendicular  precipices  of  brown  earth. 
This  j)art  of  the  river  and  shore  is  tin'  general   rendezvous  of  all  the  arks  or 
Kentucky  boats,  several  liundriHlsof  whi<'h  are  at  present  lying  moore<l  there, 
loaded  with  the  produce  of  the  thousand  shores  of  this  noble  river.     The  busy 
multitudes  below  present  a  perpetually  varying  picture  of  indu.stry;  and  the 
noise  and  uproar,  softened   by  the  distance,  with   the  eoiitiniiul  crowing  of  the 
jMJuItry  with  which  many  of  these  arks  are  filled,  produce  cheerful  and  exhila- 
rating i<leas.     The  majestic  Mississippi,  swelled  by  his  t.en  thous;inil  tribtitary 
streams,  of  a  pale  brown   color,  half  a  mile  wide,  and  spotted  with  trunks  of 
trees,  that  show  the  differt'iit  threads  of  the  current  and  its  numerous  eddies, 
bears  his  clejith  of  water  past  in  silent  grandeur.     Seven  gun-boats,  anchored 
at  equal  distances  along  the  stream,  with   their  ensigns  displayed,  add  to  tin; 
effect.     A  few  scattered  house^i  are  seen  on   the  low  opposite  shore,  where  a 
narrow  strip  of  cleared  land  ex|M)ses  the  high  gigantic  trunks  of  some  dead- 
ened timber  that  bound  the  woods.     The  whole  country  beyond   the   Missis- 
sippi, from  south  round  to  west,  and   north,  presents  to  the  eye  one  universal 
level  ocean  of  forest,  bounded  only  by  the  horizon.     So  p<'rfect   is  this  vast 
level,  that  not  a  leaf  sceniit  to  rise  above  the  plain,  ns  if  shorn  tiy  tlio  hands 


LIFE    OF    WILSON. 


xcvu 


of  heaven.  At  this  moment,  while  I  write,  a  terriBc  thunder  storm,  with  all 
its  t<iwering  assemblage  of  black  alpine  clouds,  discharging  lightning  in  every 
direction,  overhangs  this  vast  level,  and  gives  a  magnificence  and  sublime  effect 
to  the  whole." 


The  foregoing  letters  present  us  vith  an  interesting  account  of  our  author's 
journey,  until  liis  arrival  at  Natchez,  on  the  seventeenth  of  May.  In  his 
diary  he  says — "  This  journey,  four  hundred  and  seventy-eight  miles  from 
Nashville,  I  hiive  performed  alone,  through  difTicultics,  which  tho.se  who  have 
never  pas.sed  the  rond  could  not  have  a  conception  of."  We  may  readily  sup- 
pose that  he  had  not  only  diflSculties  to  encounter,  encumbered  as  he  neces 
sarily  was  yfith  his  shooting  apparatus,  and  bulky  baggage,  but  also  dangers, 
in  journeying  through  a  frightful  wilderness,  where  almost  impenetrable  cane- 
swamps  and  morasses  present  obstacles  to  the  progress  of  the  traveller,  which 
require  all  his  resolution  and  activity  to  overcome.  Superadded  to  which,  as 
we  are  informed,  he  had  a  severe  attack  of  the  dysentery,  when  remote  from 
any  situation  which  could  be  productive  of  cither  comfort  or  relief;  and  he 
was  under  the  painful  necessity  of  trudging  on,  debilitated  and  dispirited  with 
a  di.sease,  which  threatened  to  put  a  period  to  his  existence.  An  Indian,  hav- 
ing been  made  api|uaintcd  with  his  situation,  recommended  the  eating  of  straw- 
berries, which  were  then  fully  ripe,  and  in  great  abundance.  On  this  delight- 
ful fruit,  and  newly  laid  eggs,  taken  raw,  he  wholly  lived  for  several  daysj  and 
ho  attributed  his  restoration  to  health  Ut  these  simple  remedies. 

On  the  sixth  of  June  our  traveller  reached  New  Orleans,  distant  from  Nat- 
chez two  hnndreil  and  fifty-two  miles.  As  the  sickly  season  was  fast  approach- 
ing, it  was  deemed  advisable  not  to  tarry  long  in  this  place;  and  his  affairs 
being  despatched,  he  sailed  on  the  twenty-fourth  in  a  ship  bound  to  New  York,  at 
which  place  he  arrived  on  the  tliirtieth  of  July;  and  soon  reached  I'hilaiK'lphia, 
enriched  with  a  copious  stock  of  materials  for  his  work,  including  several 
beautiful  and  hitherto  unknown  birds.* 

In  the  newly  settled  country  through  which  Wilson  had  to  pass  in  his  last 
journey,  it  was   reasonable  not  to  expeet   much  encouragement    in  the  way  of 


•  Tlie  cilitor  of  Wilson's  I'oems,  *hicli  w«re  piiMUhtil  iit  I'nisley  in  I8I6,  );ivcs  wlmt 
he  stHtcs  to  l)c  an  extrnct  t'nun  one  of  our  Hiitl.or's  letters  to  liis  fntlicr,  wlierein  it  is  .«niil 
that  he  hiul  trnvelleil  through  West  Fhiridn  to  Xcw  Orlenns,  and  hail  "sailed  thenco  to 
Kftst  Kloriilii,  furnisheil  with  n  letter  to  the  Spanish  jrovernor."  This  pass«i;e  needs  ex- 
pUiiiition.  Wilson  was  never  either  in  V.nsl  or  We»t  Klori'la  (except  a  small  part  ot  tho 
Inner  provineo,  through  whieh  the  road  lo  Xew  Orleans  passed)  ;  but,  in  tho  ereni  of  Ida 
(Iiiin^  thither,  had  provided  himself  wi»h  a  letter  of  iiitr("liietion  from  Don  Luis  do  Ouis, 
the  Spanish  amlwssador  to  the  I'nileil  Suites,  to  Ddii  Knri<|ue  White,  (ioveriior  of  Kast 
I'lorida,  and  another  to  Don  Vinctntc  Fohdie,  (iorernor  of  West  Florida.  In  his  pass- 
age iVotn  New  Orleana  to  New  Vtirk,  he  merely  landed,  for  ik  .""cw  minutes,  upon  one  or 
two  detert  itlands  lyiii^  in  the  Florida  Gulf. 

lie  departed  from  I'hilaclelphia  or.  the  thirtieth  of  January,  1810  ;  and  returneit  on  the 
second  of  Aunnst,  of  the  same  year.  It  is  stated  in  his  diary  that  the  total  amount  of  his 
expenses,  until  his  arriral  iu  Ne(r  York,  was  the  sum  of  four  hundreil  uml  ftfty-five  dol- 
lar*. This  partieular  is  given  as  a  proof  uf  how  mueh  may  Ut- performed,  hy  a  good  eco- 
nomUt,  with  slender  means. 

Vol,,  i.-a 


jjcyjii  LIFE    OF    WILSON. 

subscriptions.  Yet  he  was  not  only  honored  with  the  names  of  some  respecta- 
ble individuals;  but  also  received  hospitable  treatment  from  several  persons, 
and  those,  too,  to  whom  he  had  not  been  introduced.  It  is  a  singular  fact, 
that  from  those  to  whom  he  had  letters  of  introduction,  and  from  whom  most 
had  been  expected,  he  received  the  fewest  acts  of  civility. 

The  principal  events  of  his  journey  have  been  given  in  his  letters;  but  I 
might  select  from  his  diary  many  interesting  pa.ssages,  if  the  limits  allotted  to 
this  memoir  would  admit  of  copiousne.>*s  of  detail. 

It  is  not  unusual  for  scholars  to  keep  diaries  when  they  travel.  These  wri- 
tings are  commonly  the  objects  of  great  curiosity,  as  we  are  all  anxious  to  know 
what  were  the  impressions  which  the  incidents  of  a  journey  made  upon  the 
mind,  when  it  was  in  the  fittest  state  to  receive  them. 

For  the  gratification  of  the  reader,  I  will  make  a  few  short  extracts  from 
Wilson's  journal,  as  specimens  of  his  mode  of  writing  these  unstudied  narra- 
tives. ^ 


■  ( 


March  9. — Visited  a  number  of  the  literati  and  wealthy  of  Cincinnati, 
who  all  told  me  that  they  would  think  of  it,  viz.  of  subscribing:  they  are  a 
very  th"U;_'htful  people. 

"  March  17. — Uained  and  hailed  all  last  night,  set  off  at  eight  o'clock,  after 
emptying  my  boat  of  the  deluge  of  water.  Howed  hard  all  day;  at  noon  re- 
cruited myself  with  sonic  bisfuits,  chocje  and  American  wine.  Reach  the 
falls — night  set.s  in — hear  the  roaring  of  the  rapids.  After  excessive  hard  work 
arrive  at  Heargniss  creek,  and  fasten  my  boat  to  a  Kentucky  one.  Take  my 
bagg.ige  and  grupe  my  way  to  Lmiisville — put  up  at  the  Indian  Queen  tavern, 
and  gladly  ."^it  down  to  rest  myself. 

'•  -March  IS. — Uose  f|uifc  refreshed.  Found  a  number  of  land  speculators 
here,      fitics  to  lands  in  Kentucky  subject  to  great  disputes. 

'•March  l!'. —  Kanibliog   round   the    town    with    my   gun.     Examined    Mr. 

's  drawing,s   in  crayons — very  good.     Saw   two   new  birds   he   had,  both 

Motacill.t. 

"  March  20. — Set  nut  this  afternoon  with  the  pun — killed  muliiiig  new. 
People  in  taverns  here  devour  their  meals  Many  shopkeepers  board  in 
taverns — also  boatmen,  land  speculators,  merchants,  &c.  Xo  nnturnliit  to 
Irrrp  m>'  f'lmpnnif. 

"  .March  lil. — Went  out  thi'  afternoon  shooting  with  Mr.  A.  Saw  a  num- 
ber of  Nandhill  cranes.      I'ige  ins  numerous. 

'*  March  'l'.\. — Tacked  ujt  my  things  which  I  left  in  the  care  of  a  merchant 
here,  to  be  sent  on  to  Lexington  ;  anil  having  parteil^  with  grral  rcjirt,  with 
my  paiiH|uet.  fn  the  gentlemen  of  the  tavern.  I  bade  adieu  to  liiiuisvillc,  tn 
which  place  I  had  fi>ur  letters  of  recommendation,  and  was  t.iught  to  expect 
niiK-h  of  everything  there  ;  but  neither  received  one  act  of  civility  from  thu.se 
to  whom  I  was  recommended,  one  subscriber,  nor  «/ir  •!««•  (n'nl ;  though  I  de- 
livered my  letters,  ratisat-kcd  the  woimIs  ri'pcafedly,  and  visited  all  the  charac- 
ters likely  to  sul»«eribe.  Srifiicr  or  Utrrnlurf  hti»  vol  one /rif  Ail  iii  ihh  plart. 
Kvery  one  is  so  intent  on  making  money  that  they  can  talk   of  nothing  else; 


Ht       1; 


LIFE    OF    WILSON. 


xcix 


and  they  absolutely  devour  their  meals  that  they  may  return  the  sooner  to  their 
business.     Their  iiiiiniicrs  corrcKpond  with  their  features. 

"  Good  country  this  for  lazy  follows :  they  plant  corn,  turn  their  pigs  into 
the  woods,  and  in  the  autumn  feed  upon  corn  and  pork — they  lounge  about 
the  rest  of  the  year. 

"  March  24. — Weather  cool.  Walked  to  Shelbyville  to  breakfast.  Passed 
some  miserable  log-houses  in  the  midst  of  rich  fields.  Called  at  a  '.Sijuire  C.'s, 
who  was  rolling  logs.  Sat  down  beside  him,  but  was  not  invited  in,  though  it 
waK  'bout  noon. 

■'  i>Iarch  29. — Finding  ray  baggage  tfot  likely  to  come  on,  I  set  ont  from 
Frankfort  for  Lexington.  Tiie  woods  swarm  with  pigs,  squirrels,  and  wood- 
peckers.    Arrive  exceedingly  fatigued. 

•'  Wherever  you  go  you  hear  people  talking  of  buying  and  selling  land  ;  no 
readers,  all  traders.  The  Yankees,  wherever  you  6nd  them,  are  all  traders. 
Found  one  here,  a  house  carpenter,  who  came  from  Massachusetts,  and  brought 
some  barrels  of  apples  down  the  river  from  Pcnn.sylvania  to  this  town,  where 
he  employs  the  negro  women  to  hawk  them  about  the  streets,  at  thirty-seven 
and  a  half  cents  per  dozen. 

"  Restless,  speculating  set  of  mortflls  here,  full  of  lawsuits,  no  great  readers, 
even  of  j)olitics  or  newspapers. 

"  The  sweet  courtesies  of  life,  the  innumerable  civilities  in  deeds  and  con- 
versation, which  cost  one  so  little,  are  seldom  found  here.  Every  man  you 
meet  with  has  either  some  land  to  boy  or  sell,  some  lawsuit,  some  coarse  hemp 
(ir  corn  to  dispose  of;  and  if  the  conversation  do  not  lead  ^^  any  of  these  he 
will  force  it.  Strangers  here  receive  le.ss  civilities  than  in  any  place  I  have 
ever  been  in.  The  respect  due  t<i  the  fatigues  and  privations  of  travellers  is 
nowhere  given,. because  every  one  has  met  with  as  much,  and  thinks  he  bus 
seen  more  than  any  other.  No  one  listens  to  the  adventures  of  anothci',  with- 
out interrupting  the  narrative  with  his  own  ;  so  that,  instead  of  an  auditor,  he 
liecoines  a  competitor  in  adventure-t.elling.  So  many  adventurers,  also,  con- 
tinually wanderiiif^  about  here,  injure  the  manners  of  the  people,  for  avarice 
iiiid  knavery  prey  most  freely  aud  .safely  upon  passengers  whom  tliey  may  never 
meet  again. 

'■  These  few  observations  are  written  in  Salter  White's  garret,  with  little  or 
no  fire,  wood  being  a  scarce  article  here — the  forests  being  a  full  half  mile 
distant. 

"April  0 — Oourt  held  to-day,  large  concourse  of  people  ;  not  less  than  one 
thousand  horses  in  town,  hitched  to  the  side-posts — no  food  for  them  all  day. 
Horses  selling  by  auction.  Negro  woman  sold  same  way  :  my  reflections  while 
standing  by  and  hearing  her  cried,  '  three  hundred  and  twenty-five  dollars  for 
this  wonnui  and  boy!  going  I  going  I'  Woman  and  boy  afterwards  weep. 
Ilamued,  damned  slavery  I  this  is  one  infernal  custom  which  the  Virginians 
have  brought  into  this  country.  Uude  and  barbarous  appearance  of  the 
crowd.      Hopkins's  double  cutters  niueh  wanted  here. 

"  .Vpril  10. — Was  introduced  to  several  young  ladies  this  afternoon,  whose 
agreeable  society  formed  a  mofit  welcome  contrast  to  that  of  the  lower  orders 
of  the  other  sex.     Mrs.*  ♦  *,  an  amiable,  osccllent  lady;  .hink  that  savage 


m 


.7^ 

'4  ?■ 


Hi' 


Q  LIFE    OF    WILSON, 

ignorance,  rudeness,  and  boorishness,  were  never  so  contrasted  by  female 
sweetness,  affability,  and  intelligonco. 

"April  12. — Went  this  evening  to  drink  tea  with  Mr.  *  ♦  *;  was  intro- 
duced to  Mrs.  *  *  *,  a  most  lovely,  accomplished  and  interesting  woman. 
Her  good  sense  and  lively  intelligence  of  a  ca.st  far  superior  to  that  of  almost 
any  woman  I  have  over  seen.  She  is  most  unfortunately  unwell  with  a  ner- 
vous complaint,  which  affects  her  head.  She  told  uie,  most  feelingly,  that  the 
spring,  which  brings  joy  to  every  other  being,  brings  sorrow  to  her,  for  in 
winter  she  is  always  well. 

'•April  25. — Breakfasted  at  Walton's,  thirteen  miles  from  Nashville.  This 
place  is  a  fine,  rich  hollow,  watered  by  a  charming,  clear  creek,  that  never 
fails  Went  up  to  Madison's  Lick,  where  I  shot  three  paroquets  and  some 
gmall  birds. 

"April  26 — Set  out  early,  the  hospitable  landlord,  Isaac  Walton,  refus- 
ing to  take  anything  i'or  my  fare,  or  that  of  my  horse,  saying:  'Vou  xcem  to 
he  trnvelliuij  for  thi-  ijtmil  of  thr  iror/d ;  and  I  (•(nniol,  1  will  vol  rhtinje  j/oii 
anythimj.  Whincvcr  you  rnme  lhl»  tray,  call  anil  »(ay  %cith  me,  yon  shuU  he 
trelcome!'  This  is  the  first  instance  of  smh*  hospitality  which  I  have  met 
with  in  the  Unittul  States. 

•'Wednesday,  May  23.— Left  Natchez,  after  procuring  twelve  subscribers; 
and  having  received  a  kind  letter  of  invitation  from  William  Dunbar,  Esq.,  I 
availed  my.sclf  of  his  goodness,  and  rode  nine  miles  along  the  usual  road  to 
his  house;  where,  though  confined  t<i  his  bed  by  a  severe  indisposition,  I  was 
received  with  great  hospitality  and  kindness;  had  a  neat  bedroom  assigned 
me;  and  w:is  reqnestetl  to  consider  myself  as  at  lidme  during  the  time  I  should 
find  it  convenient  to  stay  in  exploring  this  part  of  the  country." 

The  letter  above  mentioned,  which  is  now  before  nio,  is  worthy  of  tran- 
scriptiou : 

"Forest,  2()th  May,  1810. 
"  Sir. 

"  It  is  very  unfortunate  that  I  should  bo  so  much  indispo.sed  as  to  be  con- 
fined to  my  be<lroom;  nevertheless,  I  cannot  give  up  the  idea  of  having  the 
plca-^ure  of  seeing  you  as  soon  as  j'ou  find  it  (•<in\enient ;  the  perusal  of  your 
firf-t  Volume  of  Ornithology,  lent  me  by  (Jcneral  Wilkinson,  has  produced  in 
me  a  very  great  desire  of  making  your  accjuainfanco. 

"  I  understand,  from  my  boy,  that  you  propose  guitig  in  a  few  days  to  New 
Orleans,  where  you  will  sec  some  small  eabinet.s  of  natural  history  that  n.ay 
interest  you.  Hut,  as  I  presume  it  is  your  intention  to  prosecute  your  in(|niriu8 
into  the  interior  of  our  country,  this  cannot  bo  done  bolter  than  from  my  hou.xe, 
as  your  head-quarters ;  where  everything  will  be  made  convenient  to  your 
wishes.  My  house  .«taii<ls  literally  in  the  forest,  and  your  beautiful  orioles, 
with  other  elegant  birds,  are  our  courtyard  companions.  . 


*  The  editor  of  Wil»on'«  Pooim,  in  quotint;  ihin  paraKroph,  omitterl  tho  word  nick, 
thcrehy  inteinlin);  to  ronvey  n  clmr(;c  of  the  want  of  hospiinlily  in  the  AincriMin  charac- 
ter, which  our  author  rarely  experienced.  Wilson's  meaning  U  lufflciently  oLvioui 
without  coiDmcnt. 


LIFE    OF    WILSON. 


CI 


"  The  bearer  attends  you,  with  a  couple  of  horses,  on  the  supposition  that 
it  may  be  convenient  for  you  to  visit  us  to-day ;  otherwise  he  shall  wait  upon 
you  any  other  day  that  you  shall  appoint. 

"I  am  respectfully,  &c., 

"William  Dunbar." 

This  excellent  gentleman,  whose  hospitality  was  thus  promptly  excited,  has 

since  paid  the  debt  of  nature;  and  his  grateful  guest  fondly  cherished,  to  the 

bust  hour  of  his  existence,  the  remembrance  of  those  huppy  monients  which 

had   been  passed   in  his  society,  and  that  of  his  amiable  and  accomplished 

family. 

To  Mr.  William  Bartram. 

■' I'iiiL.\DEi,i'HiA,  September  2d,  1810. 

"  Incessant  labor  since  my  return,  to  make  up  my  loss  of  drawings,  which 
were  sent  by  post  from  Nashvillo,  luis  hitliorto  prtivented  me  from  paying  you 
a  visit.  I  am  closely  engaged  on  my  third  volume.  .\ny  particulars  relative  to 
the  history  of  the  meadow-lark,  crow  blackbird,  snow -bunting,  cuckoo,  paro(|uet, 
nonpareil,  pinnated  gron.se,  or  blue  groMbeiik,  if  interesting,  would  be  received 
by  nie  with  much  pleasure.  I  have  lately  received  from  Michaux  a  number 
of  rich  specimens  of  birds,  printed  in  colors.  I  have  since  made  some  attempts 
at  this  kind  of  printing,  and  have  succeeded  tolerably  well. 

"  Michaux  has  published  several  numbers  of  his  American  Sylva,  in  Paris, 
with  colored  plates.      I  expect  them  here  soon. 

"  1  collected  a  number  of  entire  new  species  in  my  south-western  lour ;  and 
in  my  return  I  visited  several  of  the  islands  off  the  Florida  shore,  where  I  met 
with  some  very  curious  land  birds. 

"Mr.  Dunbar,  of  Natchez,  remembered  you  very  well,  and  desired  me  to 
carry  his  good  wishes  to  you." 

To  Mr.  Wm.  Duncan,  Fuankpord,  Penn. 

"  I'nii.AUEi.riiiA,  February  l'2th,  ISll. 
"  So  you  have  once  more  ascended  the  preceptor's  ro.strum,  to  wield  the 
terrors  of  the  taia  and  hukmi/.  Trying  as  this  situation  is,  and  various  and 
distracting  as  its  avocations  sometimes  undoubtedly  are,  it  is  elysium  to  the 
scenes  which  yi.u  have  lately  emerged  from  ;  and  as  far  transcends  these  lat- 
ter, as  boimrable  independeuce  towers  above  dc^pisod  and  insulted  servitude. 
YdU  wish  me  to  suggest  any  liint«  \  may  think  proper  for  your  present  situa- 
tlim.  Vour  own  oxperieiice  and  prudence  render  anything  I  could  advise 
unnecessary,  as  if  is  all  included  in  the  two  resolutions  which  you  have  alreaily 
taken ;  first,  to  distinguish,  as  clearly  as  possible,  the  whole  extent  of  your 
duty;  and,  secondly,  to  fulfil  every  it<'m  of  that  to  the  best  of  your  abilities. 
.Accordingly,  the  more  extensive  and  powerful  these  are,  the  gre.iter  good  you 
will  be  cajiable  of  doing;  the  higher  and  more  dignified  will  your  reputation 
be;  and  the  easier  ami  calmer  will  your  deportment  be,  under  every  circum- 
stance of  duty.  You  have  but  tlicse  two  things  to  surmount,  anil  the  whole 
routine  of  teaching  will  become  an  agreeable  amusenuMit;  and  every  closing 
day  will  shed  over  your  mind  that  blissful  tran(iuillity, '  which  nothing  earthly 
gives  or  can  destroy.' 


cu 


LIFE   OF   WILSON. 


"  Devote  your  whole  time,  except  what  Ih  proper  for  needful  exercise,  tc 
reniloring  yourself  completely  master  of  your  business.  For  thi.s  purpose  rine 
b\  the  peep  of  dawn ;  take  your  regular  walk ;  and  then  coniuienee  your 
stated  studies.  15e  under  no  anxiety  to  hear  what  people  think  of  you,  or  of 
your  tutorship;  but  study  the  improvement,  and  wateh  over  the  good  conduct, 
of  their  ehildren  consigned  to  your  care,  a.s  if  they  were  your  own.  Mingle 
re-sjieet  and  afl'abilify  with  your  orders  and  arrangements.  Never  show  your- 
self feverish  or  irritated;  but  preserve  a  firm  and  dignified,  a  just  and  ener- 
getic deportment,  in  every  eniergeney.  To  be  completely  master  of  one's 
business,  and  ever  anxious  to  discharge  it  with  fidelity  and  honor,  is  to  bo 
great,  beloved,  respectable,  and  happy. 

"  I  could  have  wished  that  you  had  been  accommodated  with  a  room  and 
boarding  in  u  more  private  and  retired  situation,  where  your  time  and  reflec- 
tions would  have  been  more  your  own ;  and  perhaps  these  may  be  obtained 
hereafter.  Try  to  discover  your  own  defects,  and  labor  with  all  your  energy 
to  siijiply  them.  Respect  yourself,  and  fear  nothing  but  lirc  and  u/lviiifs.i.  If 
one  had  no  other  reward  for  doing  one's  duty,  but  tiie  grateful  sensations  arising 
therefrom  on  the  retrospection,  the  recompense  would  be  abundant,  as  these 
alone  are  able  to  bear  us  up  auiidst  every  reverse. 

*  *  *  *  *.«  *  * 

*'  At  present  I  cannot  enlarge  further,  my  own  mind  being  harassed  with 
difficulties  relative  to  my  publication.  I  have  now  no  further  dependence  on 
Murray;  and  I  mean  to  make  it  consistent  both  with  the  fame,  and  the  inter- 
est, of  Law.son  to  do  his  best  for  me.  I  hope  you  will  continue  to  let  me  hear 
from  you,  fmm  time  to  time.  I  anticipate  much  pleasure  from  the  improve- 
nientj*  which  I  have  no  doubt  you  will  now  make  in  the  several  uecessary 
dcpartuientij  of  your  business  Wishing  you  every  suceusji  in  your  endeavors 
to  excel,  I  remain,  with  sincere  regard,  &c." 

In  the  early  part  of  the  year  1812,  Wilson  published  his  fifth  volume;  and, 
a.s  the  preface  is  interesting,  we  here  insert  an  extract  from  it,  for  the  gratifi. 
cation  of  the  reader. 

'•  The  fifth  volume  of  this  extensive  work  is  submitted  to  the  public  with  all 
due  deference  and  respect;  and  the  author  having  now.  a.s  he  eonjecturi's, 
reached  the  mtdtlle  stage  of  his  journey,  or  in  traveller's  phrase,  the  '  half-way 
house,'  may  be  permitted  to  indulge  him-elf  with  a  slight  retrospect  of  the 
ground  he  has  already  traversed,  and  a  glimpse  of  that  which  still  lies  before 
him. 

•■  The  whole  of  our  Land  Birds  (those  of  the  sixth  volume  included,  whiiii 
are  nearly  ready  for  the  |)re.ss)  have  now  been  figured  and  described,  prolcihlv 
a  very  fi^w  excepted,  which,  it  is  hoped,  will  also  shortly  be  obtained.  'J'licse 
have  been  gleaned  up  from  an  extensive  territory  of  woods  and  fields,  unfre- 
(juented  forest,<.  solit;iry  ranges  of  mountains,  swamps  and  morasses,  by  succes- 
sive journeys  and  excursions  of  more  than  ten  thousand  miles.  With  all  the 
iudustrj'  which  a  single  individual  could  possibly  exert,  several  species  havu 
duubtlc.'ts  escaped  him.  'i'liese,  future  expeditions  may  enable  him  to  procure; 
or  tiie  kindness  of  his  distant  literary  friends  obligingly  supply  him  with. 


'I       ! 


LIFE    OF    WILSON. 


CJll 


"  In  endeavoring  to  collect  niateriuls  for  describing  truly  and  fully  our 
feathered  tribes,  he  has  frccjuently  hud  recourse  to  the  works  of  those  Kumpeaii 
naturalists  who  have  written  on  the  subject;  he  has  exumiiied  their  pages 
with  an  eager  and  inquisitive  eye;  but  his  researches  iu  that  quarter  have 
been  but  too  frequently  repaid  with  disappointiucnt,  and  oilen  with  disgust. 
On  the  subject  of  the  mdinicrs  and  mii/ntti'ous  of  our  birds,  which  iu  fact  con- 
stitute almost  the  only  instructive  and  interesting  parts  of  their  history,  all  is 
a  barren  and  a  dreary  waste.  A  few  vague  and  formal  particulars  of  their 
size,  specific  marks,  Sic,  accompanied  sometimes  with  figured  representations 
that  would  seem  rather  intended  to  caricature  than  to  illustrate  their  originals, 
is  all  that  the  greater  part  of  them  can  boa.xt  of  Suv  arc  these  the  luost 
exceptionable  parts  of  their  performances;  the  novelty  of  fable,  and  the  wild- 
ness  of  fanciful  theory,  are  frequently  substituted  for  realities ;  and  conjectures 
instead  of  /nets  called  up  for  their  support.  I'rejudice,  as  usual,  has  in 
numerous  inetanccs  united  with  its  parent,  ignorance,  to  de|ircciate  and  treat 
with  contempt  what  neither  of  them  understood ;  and  the  whole  interesting 
asseuiblago  of  the  feathered  tribes  of  this  vast  continent,  which  in  richness  of 
plumage,  and  in  strength,  sweetness  and  variety  of  .song,  will  be  found  to  exceed 
tliose  of  any  other  (|uarter  of  the  globe,  are  little  .known  save  in  the  stuffed 
cabinets  of  the  curious,  and  among  the  abstruse  pages  and  technical  catalogues 
of  dry  systematic  writers. 

"  From  these  barren  and  musty  records,  the  author  of  the  present  work  has 
a  thousand  times  turned  with  a  delight  bordering  on  adoration,  to  the  magni- 
ficent repository  of  the  woods  and  fields — the  (Inttul  Aviari/  of  Nnture.  In 
this  divine  school  he  has  studied  from  no  vulgar  copy ;  but  from  the  works  of 
the  Gkkat  Mastku  of  Cukation  himself;  and  has  read  with  rapture  the 
lessons  of  his  wi.sdom,  his  goodness  and  his  love,  in  the  conformation,  the  habi- 
tudes, nielddy  and  migrations  of  this  beautiful  portion  of  the  work  of  his  hands. 
To  communicate  as  correct  ideas  of  these  as  his  feeble  powers  were  capable  of, 
and  thus,  from  objects,  that,  in  our  rural  walks,  almost  everywhere  present 
themselves,  to  deduce  not  only  amusement  and  instruction,  but  the  highest 
incitements  to  virtue  and  piety,  have  been  the  author's  most  anxious  and 
ardent  wish.  On  many  of  his  subjects,  indeed,  it  has  not  been  in  his  power  to 
s«y  much  The  recent  discovery  of  some,  and  the  solitary  and  secluded  habits 
of  others,  have  opposed  great  obstacles  to  his  endeavors  in  this  respect.  But 
a  tkno  is  approaching  when  these  obstacles  will  no  longer  exist.  When  the 
population  of  this  immense  western  Republic  will  have  diffused  itself  over 
every  acre  of  ground  fit  for  the  comfortable  habitation  of  man — when  farms, 
villages,  towns  and  glittering  cities,  thick  as  the  stars  in  a  winter's  evening, 
overspread  the  face  of  our  beloved  country,  and  every  hill,  valley  and  stream 
has  its  favorite  name,  its  native  flocks  and  rural  inhabitants  ;  then,  not  a 
warbler  shall  flit  through  our  thickets,  but  its  name,  its  notes  and  habits  will 
be  familiar  to  all;  rej)eatcd  in  their  sayings,  and  celebrated  in  their  village 
songs.  At  that  hapj)y  period,  should  any  vestige  or  memory  of  the  present 
publication  exist,  be  it  known  to  our  more  enlightened  posterity,  as  some  apology 
for  the  deficiencies  of  its  author,  that  in  the  period  in  which  he  wrote,  three- 
fourths  "f  our  feathered  tribes  were  altogether  unkiiown  even  to  the  proprietor 


CIT 


LIFE   OP   WILSON. 


of  the  woodH  which  thoy  frequented — that  without  patron,  fortune  or  rcoom- 
pciiHC,  ho  broupht  the  grentor  part  of  tiiusc  from  the  obHCurity  of  ages,  gave  tc 
each  '  a  local  habitatinn  and  a  name' — coiieetcd  from  jmrsonal  observation 
whatever  of  their  characters  and  manners  seemed  deserving  of  attention  ;  and 
(lolineated  their  forms  and  features,  in  tlitiir  native  colors,  us  faithfully  as  ho 
could,  as  records,  at  least,  of  their  existence. 

"  In  treating  of  those  birds  more  generally  known,  I  have  endeavored  to  do 
impartial  justice  to  their  respective  characters.  Ignorance  and  stubborn- 
looted  opinions,  even  in  this  country,  have  rendered  some  odious  that  are 
eminently  useful ;  and  involved  the  manners  of  others  in  fablo  ami  mystery, 
which  in  themselves  are  plain  and  ojicn  as  day.  To  remove  prejudices  whon 
they  oppose  themselves  to  the  influence  of  humanity  is  a  difficult,  but,  when 
effected,  a  most  pleasing  empluyment.  If  therefore,  in  divesting  this  jiart  of 
the  natural  hist*)ry  of  our  country  of  many  of  it«  fables  and  most  forbidding 
features,  and  thus  enabling  our  youth  to  become  nicire  intimately  ac(|uainted 
with  this  chnrniing  pr)rtion  of  the  feathered  creation,  I  should  have  succeeded 
in  multiplying  their  virtuous  enjoyments,  and  in  rendering  them  more  hunnine 
to  those  little  choristers,  how  gratifying  to  my  heart  would  be  the  reflection  ! 
For  to  me  it  appears  that,  of  all  interior  creatures.  Heaven  seems  to  have 
intended  birds  as  the  most  cheerful  associates  of  man ;  to  soothe  and  exhilarate 
him  in  his  labors  by  their  varied  melody,  of  which  no  other  creature,  but  man, 
is  capable;  to  prevent  the  increase  of  those  supernumerary  hosts  of  in.sects  that 
would  soon  consume  the  products  of  his  industry;  to  glean  up  the  refuse  of 
his  fields,  'that  nothing  bo  lost,'  and,  what  is  of  much  more  interest,  to  be  to 
him  the  most  endearing  examples  of  the  tendcrcst  connubial  love  and  parental 
affection." 

To  Mr.  F.  A.  MiciiAUX.  .1 

"  PuiLADEi.rniA,  June  Cth,  1812. 
"  My  Dear  Friend. 

"  I  had  the  pleasure  of  receiving  a  letter  from  you,  dated  April  10,  181*2; 
but,  living  at  ^Ir.  IJartram's,  T  have  not  yet  seen  Mr.  Corrca,  the  gentleman  who 
brought  it  over.  I  have  also  had  the  great  satisfaction  of  examining  the  platea 
of  your  four  numbers  of  Forest  Trees,  which  are  beautifully  executed;  and  I 
regret  most  sincerely  that  my  little  knowledge  of  the  French  language*  pre- 
vents me  from  perusing  with  equal  sjitisfaction  the  interesting  jmrticulars  you 
relate  of  their  history.  I  expected  long  before  this  to  be  able  to  congratulate 
you  on  the  publication  of  a  translation  of  your  work  here,  and  I  announced 
the  same  in  the  preface  to  one  of  my  volunu^s ;  but  sorry  I  am  to  inform  you 
that  no  steps  have  yet  been  tjiken  to  put  that  design  in  execution,  and  I  fear 
n(tne  will  be  taken  for  many  uionths  to  come.  Unless  there  be  an  evident 
certainty  of  profit,   biM)ksellers,   in   general,   are   very    indifferent   to   publish 


*  Wilson'i*  iimornnre  of  French  wan  a  (preat  (li»(lvanta(cc  to  him  ;  and  he  never  rented 
to  rpirret  his  want  of  invtruction  in  a  tongue,  which  \»  conRJiienMl  not  only  impurtanl  to 
the  f't'liolnr,  l»it  iti>li«f>fni>nl>lc  to  (lie  nalurHliht.  Tlic  nuinlN-r  of  worko,  in  the  viiriou!i 
<lopnrlnnnt'<  (rf  Nntnnil  Ui-tnrv,  which  Krnnie  niiiiiiiilly  prudiioeti,  it  truly  astoninhini; ; 
Rnil  lortiiniiii'  is  ihrit  >liiiU'nt  who«i-  H('c|uirrment«  in  her  lun^ua|;c  enahle  him  to  (initit  iif 
tiic  knuwiuilgu  ut'  ih  s  il!urtrluii»  nuiiun. 


lii     \ 


LIFE   OF   WILSON. 


OT 


works  of  any  kind,  however  grout  thoir  nioriu  may  be ;  and  the  poor  author'^ 
icclinga  uro  little  regarded.  Few  men  have  known  this  more  cxporiuieutuliy 
tlmn  niysolf.  I  have  Haerificcd  everything  to  publisii  my  Ornithology — have 
written  nix  volumes,  and  am  engaged  on  the  seventh.  *  *  * 

"  I  have  frequently  converKcd  with  Mr.  Bradford  about  publishing  a  trans- 
lation of  your  Forest  Trees ;  and  you  may  rest  assured  that,  should  it  be  under- 
taken,  I  will  use  all  my  influence  in  ita  favor.  Were  you  here  yourself,  I  have 
no  doubt  but  it  would  be  undertaken,  and  I  think  with  success,  for  all  who 
have  seen  it  admire  it.  I  procured  our  good  i  end,  Mr.  Wm.  IJartram.  a 
sight  of  it,  and  he  was  greatly  delighted  with  its  ajipcaranee.  One  of  my 
friends  read  a  great  part  of  it  in  EufflUh  to  him,  and  he  was  highly  satis- 
fied. *  •  * 

"  Dr.  Barton  has  not  yet  published  his  General  Zoohijy*  which  he  has 
been  announcing,  from  time  to  time,  for  so  many  years.  It  is  much  easier  to 
my  these  things  than  ilo  them.   *  *   * 

"  Mr.  Wm.  Hartram  is  still  as  you  left  him,  and  yon  are  frequently  the 
subject  of  our  conversation  at  table.  I  have  made  many  extensive  excursions 
lately,  and  have  discovered,  in  all,  about  forty  new  species  of  Land  Birds, 
never  taken  notice  of  by  any  other  writer.  I  am  now  engaged  on  the  Water 
Birds,  and  had  just  returned  yesterday  from  the  sea.shore  when  your  letter 
was  presented  to  me.  Dr.  H.  and  Mr.  P.  have  both  publicly  announced  your 
work,  but,  as  no  translation  has  been  yet  made,  it  has  not  been  reviewed  by 
any  of  our  writers.  *  *  * 

"  Wishing  you  all  the  success  which  is  justly  due  to  the  labors,  journeys, 
and  investigations,  you  have  made  in  behalf  of  Natural  History,  I  remain,  &c." 

In  September,  1812,  Wilson  undertook  a  journey  into  the  eastern  states,  for 
the  purpose  af  visiting  his  subscribers,  and  settling  accounts  with  his  agents. 


To  Mr.  Georoe  Ord. 

"  Boston,  October  13th,  1812. 
"  Dear  Sir. 

"  It  is  not  in  my  power  nt  present  to  give  you  anything  more  than  a  slight 

sketch  of  my  rambles  since  leaving   I'hiladelphia.      My  route  up  the   Hudson 

afforded  great  pleasure,  mingled  with  frequent  regret  that  you  were  not  along 

with   me,  to  share  the  enjoyment,     .\bout  thirty  miles  south  of  .\lbany  we 

passetl  within  ten  miles  of  the  celebrated  Catskill  Mountains,  a  gigantic  group, 

clothed  with  forest  to  the  summit,s.     In  the  river  here  1  found  our  common 


*  This  work,  which  it  was  the  intention  of  the  late  Icnnicd  professor  to  entitle  "  Kle- 
mciits  of  Zoolojry,"  nt'tor  Ikmii);  ten  rear.s  in  tlie  press,  was  lulviini'cd  no  furtlior  llii'.n_/iV'.v- 
siT  piit;i's,  in  octavo,  nt  llie  ileutli  of  the  aullior.  It  ilut'S  not  appear  that  lie  left  much 
niMiiuseript  innttur  in  continuation,  c<in»e<iuciitl_v  the  public  will  ilcrivc  no  licnelit  from  a 
work,  which  ii  too  incomplete  fur  pulilicaiii<n.  The  printed  sheets  I  have  read,  not  only 
with  satisfaction,  hut  instruction  ;  and  cannot  forliear  cxpressinp;  my  regret  that  an  under- 
tukiii;,',  which  Dr  llartoii  certainly  knew  how  to  pcrl'ortn,  and  to  which  his  learninj;  was 
adopiatc,  should  have  liccii  sullcrcd  to  |H'risli  in  emhryo.  The  art  of  cunccntralin|{  hii 
talents,  was  one  for  wnicli  the  professor  was  not  greatly  distinguished. 


! 
i    I 

I    I 


1.1 


it 


Qvl       .  LIFK    OF    WILSON. 

reed  {Zisanut  iiquutictt)  f,Tiiwiiig  in  grout  ttbundniico  in  slioula  oxtuiuling  aldn^ 
the  middle  of  the  river.     I  saw  flocks  of  Hcd  win^s,  und  sonio  Hiuck  Ducks, 

but  uo  Kail,  or  Kood-birds. 

«  *  *  * 

"  From  this  plnco  my  journey  led  mo  over  a  rugged,  mountainous  country, 
to  Lake  I'hnmpliiin,  along  which  I  coasted  iw  fur  ««  lluriington,  in  Vermont. 
Hero  I  found  the  little  Coot-footed  Tringa  or  I'hularope*  that  you  suut  Xu  Mr. 
Peale;  a  new  and  elegantly-marked  Hawk;  und  observed  some  Hluek  Ducks. 
The  shores  are  alternate  sandy  buys,  and  rocky  headlands  running  into  the 
lake.  Every  tavern  was  crowded  with  officers,  soldiers,  and  travellers.  Kight 
of  us  were  left  without  a  bed  ;  but  having  an  excellent  greut-ooat,  I  laid  my- 
self down  in  a  corner,  with  a  <lctcrminutioii  of  sleeping  in  delianco  of  the 
uproar  of  the  house,  and  the  rago  of  my  companions,  who  would  not  disgrace 

themselves  by  a  prostration  of  this  sort. 

*  *  *  ♦ 

"From  Lake  Champlain  I  traversed  a  rudo  mountainctus  region  to  Connecti- 
cut river,  one  hundred  miles  above  Dartmouth  College.  I  spent  several  days 
with  the  gun  in  (iroton,  and  Uyegate  tnwnships,  and  made  .■4omo  discoveries. 
From  this  I  coasted  along  the  ('onnecticut  to  u  place  called  Havi-rhill,  ten 
miles  from  the  fix)t  of  Moose-hillock,  one  of  tlio  highest  of  the  Wkitf  Mdhii- 
taiim  of  New  namjtshire.  I  spent  the  greater  part  of  a  day  in  ascending  to 
the  |icak  of  one  of  these  majestic  mountains,  whence  I  hud  the  most  sublime 
and  astonishing  view  that  was  ever  ufforded  me.  One  immensity  of  forest  luy 
below,  extended  on  all  sides  to  the  farthest  verge  of  the  horizon  ;  while  the 
only  prominent  ohjeett  were  the  column.-*  of  simiko  from  burning  woods,  thut 
rose  from  various  part.-i  of  the  earth  beneath  to  the  heavens;  for  the  day  wiis 
beautiful  and  serene  Hence  I  travelled  to  l>urtmouth.  and  thenco  in  u  direct 
course  to  IJo^ton.  From  Koston  I  |msse<l  through  Portsmouth  to  I'ortlund, 
and  giif  some  things  new  ;  my  return  was  by  a  diffcrt^it  route.  I  liave  pro- 
cured three  new  and  beautiful  Hawks  ;  und  have  gleaned  up  a  stuck  of  remarks 
that  will  be  useful  to  me  liercuftcr. 

••  I  hope,  my  dear  sir,  that  you  have  been  well  since  I  left  you.  I  have 
myself  been  several  times  afflicted  with  a  violent  jialpit;ifion  of  the  heart. j"  and 
want  to  try  whether  a  short  voyage  by  sea  will  not  be  beneficial. 

"  In  New  Knghind  the  rage  of  wur,  the  virulcnct  of  politics,  and  the  pur- 
suit of  commercial  speculations,  engross  every  faculty.  The  voice  id'  Science, 
and  th(!  charms  of  Nature,  unless  these  last  present  themselves  in  the  form  of 
prize  siujiin,  <offee,  or  rum,  are  treated  with  contempt." 

The  excursion  tu  the  White  Mountains,  above  meutioncd.  wait  succeeded  by 
rather  an  unplciisant  occurrence.  'l"he  good  jKJople  of  Haverhill  {M'rceiving  ii 
stranger  among  them  of  very  iiKjuisitive  habit.s,  and  who  evinced  great  xeal  in 
exploring  the  country,  sagaciously  concluded  that  ho  was  u  spy  from  Canada, 

*  I'.  FiilicariuK. 

t  This  ilistrcDsinir  disease,  >o  well  known  to  the  literary  atudeiii,  Wibuu  was  uftcn 
Rlllicted  with. 


1 

I 

lii 

i 

-i 

*   ■ 

.  t     \ 

i 

i 

1 

'  •" 

i  i 

L 

w  ^ 

LIFK    OF    WILSON. 


OTli 


employed  in  Uiking  sketchon  uf  tliu  place,  tu  fucilituto  the  invuHiun  of  tlio 
enemy.  UnJur  thcHo  iniprcwtionH  it  w»h  thought  uunduuive  tu  the  public  Hufuty 
that  WilHon  HhouUl  bo  u])]>ruhuiiilu(l ;  uiid  ho  wan  accordingly  tukcn  intu  the 
cuHUxly  of  u  niaglHtnitu,  who,  on  being  made  acijuninted  with  Iuh  churactur, 
and  the  nature  of  hia  vioit,  politely  ditiiuiiMed  him,  with  many  apologicM  tor  the 
mistake. 

The  puhliciition  of  tho  Ornithidogy  now  iidvancod  an  rapidly  as  tt  duo  regard 
to  correctness  iind  elegance  woulil  admit.  In  order  to  become  bettor  ac(|uuinted 
with  the  feathered  tribcH,  and  t4)  obHorvo  their  migration.s  with  more  aceuraoy, 
as  well  iw  to  enjoy  the  important  advantages  of  a  rural  retirement,  Wilmm  re- 
sided the  better  i)!irt  of  the  years  181 1-12  at  the  Hotanie  Uarden  of  his  friend, 
Mr.  liartrani.  There  removed  from  the  noise,  bustle,  and  interruption  of  tho 
merropiilis,  he  was  enabled  to  dispose  of  his  time  to  tho  best  advantage ;  for 
when  fatigued  with  close  application  within  doors,  to  recruit  his  mind  and  body 
I'c  had  only  to  cross  the  threshold  of  hia  abode,  and  ho  at  onco  found  hinisolf 
surrounded  with  those  Hci|uaintance,  tho  observing  of  whose  Bini])lo  niannora 
uot  only  alTordcd  the  most  i.'iueablo  recreation,  but  who  were  perpetually  con- 
tributing to  the  groat  undertaking  which  bo  was  earnestly  laboring  to  completo. 

In  the  month  of  March,  IHTJ,  Wilson  was  chosen  a  member  of  tho  yocioty 
of  Artist.s  of  'fie  I'nited  States;  but  in  tho  spring  of  tho  succeeding  year,  a 
greater  hop.ir  was  conferred  u|)on  him,  by  his  being  elect'tid  a  uieuiber  of  the 
American  Philosophical  Society  of  Philadelphia. 

To  Mil.  W.M.  Hartuam. 

"  rnii,.\DEi,riiu,  April  2l8t,  1813. 
"  My  Dear  Friend. 

"  I  have  been  oxtremei^  !.  .->j  those  several  months,  my  colorists  having  all 
loft  me;  so  I  have  been  obliged  to  do  e.xtra  duty  this  last  winter.  Next  week 
I  shall  publish  my  seventh  volume;  and  shall  send  you  your  copy  with  the  ear- 
liest opportunity.  I  am  now  engaged  with  the  ducks,  all  of  which,  that  I  am 
ac(|uainted  with,  will  be  comiirohended  in  tho  eighth  volume. 

"  Since  I  had  the  pleasure  of  seeing  you,  I  have  hardly  left  the  house  half 
an  hour ;  and  I  long  Uiost  ardently  to  breathe  once  more  the  fresh  air  of  the 
country,  and  gaze  on  tho  lovely  face  of  Nature.  Will  it  be  convenient  for  the 
family  to  accommodate  me  (us  I  shall  be  alone)  this  Hummer?  PI  case  to  let 
me  know. 

'•  I  lately  received  from  the  celebrated  Mr.  West,  a  proof  impression  of  his 
grand  historical  picture  of  the  death  of  Admiral  Nelson — a  present  which  I 
highly  value.  v 

"The  Philosophical  Society  of  I'hiladelpbia  bave  done  me  the  honor  to  elect 
me  a  uicmbcr,  for  which  I  must  ctirtainly,  in  gratitude,  make  them  a  commu- 
nication on  some  subject,  '.his  summer.  I  long  very  much  to  hear  from  you; 
and,  with  my  best  wishe'i  for  your  health  aud  happiness,  am  very  truly 

'•  Your  sincere  friend." 


As  soon  as  tho  seventh  volume  of  tho  Ornithology  was  published,  its  author, 
and  the  writer  of  this  sketch,  set  out  on  their  last  expedition  to  Great  Egg 


ifij 


h  ■ 


!jI 


cviii  LIFE  OF   WILSON. 

Harbor.*     There  t'^ey  remained  for  nearly  four  weeks,  constantly  occupied  in 
collecting  materials  for  the  eighth  volume,  which  Wilson  had  resolved  should 
in  no  respects  full  nhort  of  the  preceding ;  but  which  should,  if  possible,  enhance 
his  reputition,  by  the  value  of  its  deUiils,  and  the  beauty  of  its  cnihullishnients. 
Immediately  on  his  return  to  Philadelphia,  he  engaged  anew  in  his  arduous 
avocation ;  and  by  the  month  of  August  he  had  succeeded  in  completing  the 
letter-press  of  the  eighth  volume,  though  the  whole  of  the  plates  were  not 
fini.ihed.     Hut  unfortunaijly  his  great  anxiety  to  conclude  the  work,  condemned 
him  to  an  excess  of  toil,  which,  inflexible  as  was  his  mind,  his  bodily  frame 
was  unable  to  bear.     He  was  likewise,  by  this  flood  of  business,  prevented  from 
residing  in  the  country,  where  hours  of  mental  lahsitude  might  have   been 
beguiled  by  a  rural  walk,  or  the  rough  but  invigorating  exercise  of  the  gun. 
At  length  he  was  attacked  by  a  disei'-^e,  which,  perhaps,  at  another  period  of 
his  life  might  not  have  been  attended  with  fatal  eflecls,  but  which  now,  in  his 
debilitated  st  .te  of  body,  and  harassed    niind,  proved   a   mighty  foe,  whose 
assaults  all  the  combined  efl'ort>i  of  friendship,  science  and  skill,  could  not  repel. 
The  dysentcr, ,  after  a  sickness  of  ten  days,  closed  the  mortal  career  of  Alexan- 
der Wilson,  on  the  twenty-third  of  August,  1813. 

It  may  not  be  going  too  fur  to  maintain,  that  in  no  age  or  nation  has  there 
ever  arisen  one  more  eminently  qualitied  for  a  naturalist  than  the  subject  of 
these  memoirs.  He  was  not  only  an  enfhusiistic  admirer  of  the  works  of 
creation,  but  he  was  consistent  in  rcsearcli ;  and  pt'rniittod  no  dangers  or  fatigues 
to  abate  his  ardor,  or  relax  his  exertions.  He  iiiunMl  himself  to  hardships  by 
frc(jucnt  and  laborious  exercise  ;  and  was  never  niorc  bapiiy  than  when  enijiloyed 
in  some  enterprise,  whicli  promised  from  it.s  difficulties  the  novelties  of  disco- 
very. Whatever  was  obtained  with  ease,  to  him  ajipeurcd  to  bo  attended, 
comparatively  speaking,  with  small  interest :  the  acipiisitions  of  labor  alone 
seemed  worthy  of  his  ambition.  lie  was  no  clo.set  philosopher — exchanging  the 
frock  of  activity  for  the  night-gown  and  slippers.  He  was  indebted  for  his 
ideas,  not  to  books,  which  err,  but  to  Nature  which  is  infallilde  ;  and  the 
inestimable  transcript  of  her  works,  nhich  he  has  betjueathcd  to  us,  possesses  a 
charm  which  affects  us  the  more,  the  better  aci|uuinted  we  become  with  the 
delightful  original.  His  ini|ui«.:tivo  hubita  procured  him  from  others  a  vast 
heterogeneous  inasw  of  informat''.,;.  ;  but  he  had  the  happy  talent  of  selecting' 
fru.ii  this  rubbish  whatever  was  valuable.  His  jiersevenince  was  uncommon; 
and  when  engaged  in  pursuit  of  a  particular  object,  he  would  never  relincjuish 
it,  while  there  was  a  chance  of  success.  His  powers  of  observation  were  very 
acute,  and  he  .H-ldom  erred  in  judgment,  when  favored  with  a  fair  opportunity 
of  ii:Ve.«tigation. 

Credulity  hafl  been  aptly  termed  "the  vice  of  naturalists^ ;"' but  it  may  be 
said,  to  the  honor  of  our  author,  that  it  would  be  diflienlt  to  And  one  less 
infcet<'d  with  this  vice  than  himself.  His  mind,  strongly  imbued  with  ciHiiinon 
sense,  and  familiar  wit?i  i^e  general  lawtTof  nature,  could  not  be  imposed  upon 


•  Wilson  made  six  jouriipyn  to  the  coBut  of  New  .Itncj,  in  punuit  o'  water-binit,  which 
abcunil  in  the  nci);liliurhuu<l  ul'  (ircut  Kt;^  Itarhur. 


l! 


LIFE    OF    WILSON. 


oix 


by  appearances ;  and  nmrvolloua  narratives,  in  that  science  which  he  had  so 
much  at  heart,  were  the  objects  of  his  decided  disapprobation.  The  ridicule 
and  sccirn  with  which  ho  treated  the  hypothesis  ol'  the  annual  torpidity  of 
Hwaliows  arc  well  known ;  and  he  regarded  with  equal  contempt  those  talcs 
of  the  fascinating  faculty  attributed  to  serpents,  which  nro  yet  but  too  well 
adiiptod  to  the  taste  of  the  multitude  to  be  effectively  discredited. 

Having  been  "  soniethiiig  of  a  traveller,"  it  would  be  reasonable  to  conclude 
that  Wil.son  had  been  familiiir  with  "  novel  sights;"  but  we  nowhere  find  that 
ho  over  beheld  a  toad  leaping  into  day  from  its  rocky  doniicil  of  five  thousand 
years,  or  a  mermaid  "  sleeking  her  soft  alluring  locks"  in  the  sun.  That  won- 
der of  the  "  va.sty  deep,"  the  Sea  Serpent  of  Gloucester,  had  not  attracted  the 
attention  of  the  public  in  his  tin  '^;  but  if  it  had,  there  is  little  doubt  that  ho 
would  have  promptly  exerted  himself  to  expose  one  of  the  grossest  fictions  that 
wa.s  ever  palmed  upon  the  credulity  of  mankind. 

That  the  industry  of  Wilson  was  great,  his  work  will  for  ever  testify.  And 
our  admiration  is  excited,  that  so  much  should  have  been  performed  in  so  si  ort 
a  time.  When  we  take  into  consideration  the  state  of  our  country,  as  respects 
the  cultivation  of  the  physical  .sciences;  and  that  in  the  walk  of  Ornithology, 
particularly,  no  one,  ihseroimj  the  title  nf  a  Naturalist,  had  yet  presumed  to 
tread ;  when  we  view  the  labors  of  foreigners,  who  had  interested  themselves 
in  our  natural  productions,  and  find  how  incompetent  they  were,  through  a  defi- 
cietiey  of  correct  information,  to  instruct;  and  then  when  wo  reflect  that  a 
single  individual,  '■^  xoithout  patron,  fortune,  or  recompeniie,"  accomplished,  in 
the  space  of  Hcicn  years,  as  much  as  the  combined  body  of  European  natural- 
ists took  a  rrufiay  to  achieve,  wo  feel  ainio.st  inclined  to  doubt  the  evidence 
upon  which  this  conclusion  is  founded.  Hut  it  is  a  fact,  which  we  feel  a  pride 
in  assorting,  that  we  h;ive  as  faithful,  contplete,  and  ititeresting,  an  account  of 
our  birds,  in  the  volumes  of  the  .\merican  Ornithology,  as  the  Kuropcans  can 
at  this  moment  boast  of  possessing  of  thrir».  Let  those  who  question  the  cor- 
rectness of  this  opinion  examine  i'or  themselves,  and  determine  according  to 
the  dictates  of  an  unbiii.ssed  j\idginent. 

We  need  no  other  evidence  of  the  unparalleled  industry  of  our  author,  than 
the  fact,  that  of  two  hnixheil  and  sevenl^-rii/hl  i>ppcie»,  which  have  been  figured 
and  described  in  his  Ornithology,*  yi />(/-.!!/>  bad  not  been  taken  notice  of  by 
any  former  naturulist;"j'  and  several  of  the  latter  number  are  so  extremely  rare, 


•  The  wliolo  nunilH-r  of  liirds  li;;iireil  is  three  hiindruit  nnil  twenty. 

t  la  lliH  stiilonient  of  llio  nuinhcr  of  new  sperios,  I  followed  Wilson's  own  eatnlojjiio, 
whcr'jin  tlioy  arc  indienteil.  Hut  it  is  proper  to  observe,  that  Vieillot's  "  Ois^aux  ilc 
1/  Ani/rii/ih^  Si-i>(entriiiniile"  was  never  seen  hy  oar  author  ;  otherwise  he  would  have 
tnken  iiiitiee  that  some  of  his  supposed  nonclesrripts  were  ti^'ured  and  ilescriheil  in  tlio 
nhove-nieutionecl  eostly  >.'ork,  whieh  was  puhlishecl  in  Paris  in  the  year  1807.  Vieillot 
travelled  in  the  United  States,  with  the  view  of  Kivinp  an  aceount  of  our  hirds  ;  he  pub- 
lished only  two  folio  volumes,  with  eolored  plates  ;  his  publisher  failed  ;  anil  the  copper- 
plates of  the  work,  ineluilinK  those  intended  for  the  thinl  viduino,  were  stdil  at  publio  sale 
for  olil  mpper ;  and  are  now  (1825)  in  I'liiUilelphia,  and  the  property  of  William  Ma- 
elure,  Esq.,  the  President  of  the  Academy  of  Natural  Sciences  of  Philadelphia. 


II. 


iU 


^  ■m^.m 


t**^.*? 


'■;-  Jl 


ex 


LIFE    OF    WILSON. 


that  the  Bpeeimens,  from  which  the  figures  were  taken,  were  the  only  ones  that 
he  was  ever  enabled  to  obtain.  This  expensive  collection  of  birds  was  the 
result  of  many  months  of  unwearied  research,  amongst  forests,  swamps  and 
morasses,  exposed  to  nil  the  dangers,  privations  and  fatigues,  incident  to  such 
an  undertaking.  What  but  a  remarkable  passion  for  the  pursuit,  joined  with 
the  desire  of  fame,  could  have  supported  a  solitary  individual,  in  labors  of 
body  and  mind,  compared  to  which  the  bustling  avocations  of  common  life  are 
mere  holiday  activity  or  recreation  ! 

Independent  on  that  part  of  his  work  which  was  Wilson's  particular  province, 
vit.  the  drawing  and  describing  of  his  subjects,  he  was  necessitated  to  occupy 
much  of  his  time  in  coloring  the  plates;  his  sole  resource  for  support  being  in 
this  employment,  as  he  had  been  compelled  to  relinquish  the  superintendence  of 
the  Cyclopaedia.  This  drudgery  of  coloring  the  plates  in  a  eircum.Htunco  much 
to  be  regretted,  as  the  work  would  have  proceeded  more  rapidly  if  he  could 
have  avoided  it.  One  of  his  principal  difficulties,  in  effect,  and  that  which 
caased  him  no  small  unca.siness,  was  the  process  of  coloring.  If  this  could 
have  been  done  solely  by  himself;  or,  as  he  was  obliged  to  seek  a.ssistitncc 
therein,  if  it  could  have  been  performed  immediately  under  his  eye,  he  would 
have  been  relieved  of  much  anxiety;  and  would  h»vo  btitter  maintained  a  due 
equanimity;  his  mind  being  daily  ruffled  by  th«  negligence  of  his  assi.staiifs, 
who  too  often,  through  a  deplorable  want  of  skill  and  taste,  made  disgusting 
caricatures  of  what  were  intended  to  be  mode.xt  iiuitutions  of  simple  nature.* 
Hence  much  of  his  precious  time  was  spent  in  the  irksome  employment  of  in- 
specting and  correcting  the  imperfections  of  others.  This  waste  of  his  stated 
{wriods  of  labor,  he  felt  himself  constrained  to  compensate,  by  eneroachnients 
on  those  hours  which  Nature,  t«nacious  \ji'  her  rights,  claims  as  her  own: 
hours  which  she  consecrates  to  rest — which  she  will  not  forego  without  a  strug- 
gle ;  and  which  all  those,  who  would  preserve  unimpaired  the  vigor  of  their 
mind  and  body,  must  respect.  Of  this  intense  .'iml  destructive  application  his 
friends  failed  not  to  admoni.sh  biiu  ;  but  to  their  kind  remonstrances  he  would 
reply,  that  "  life  is  short,  and  without  exertion  nothing  can  be  performed." 


*  In  the  prpfnoe  to  the  third  rolaine,  Wilson  rtHtct  the  nnxicty  which  he  hnil  nulTercd  on 
acrount  uf  the  roluring  of  the  plates  ;  and  of  his  having  mmic  an  arrangement,  wherebjr 
his  difficulties  on  that  score  had  been  surmounted.  'Hm  arrHni;emetit  proved  in  the  end 
of  creator  injury  thun  Im-ucSi. 

Tlie  art  of  piintin;;  in  i-olors  i<  hut  little  kniiwii  in  our  rountry,  and  seldrxn  prnctised  ; 
and  the  fi'vv  Mttiiii(ii~  that  hiive  In-en  inaile  have  only  pnrtinlly  siKoeedeil.  An  experiment 
of  this  nature  wai  uodprtokiMi  u|>on  several  plmtes  of  this  vnrk,  hut  with  a  success  tiy  nu 
tiK'iin*  snli«f!ic't(>ry.  When  Wilson  rommeiiced  his  laUirs,  overyliiifl;;  rflatiii^.'  to  iliem 
WHS  new  to  him  '  and  the  dinicully  ol  Kxin^  the  proper  tints,  upon  an  uiiifurm  liliu  k 
(.'round,  was  the  creator,  ina«mu('li  as  he  had  to  experiment  himself,  unaided  by  the  coun- 
sel or  example  of  tliose  to  whom  the  proress  was  familiar. 

'I'he  writer  of  this  narrative  has  thoncht  H  hi«  <Wty  to  ^lale  luimf  of  the  emharra««inents 
under  which  WiI«on  lahored,  in  the  departnienl  of  e(dorini;  lli#  plates,  in  onler  to  ohvinte 
criticisms,  which  too  many  are  dispotH-d  to  nMike,  on  aupposi-d  faults  ;  hut  if  all  the  dilli. 
rallies  were  made  known,  there  would  he  no  (ear  for  the  reiwlt,  among  readori  of  candc 
and  understanding. 


LIFE    OF    WILSON. 


CXI 


But  the  true  cause  of  this  extraordinary  toil  was  his  poverty.  By  the  terms 
of  agreetnent  with  his  publisher,  he  was  to  furnish  at  his  own  cost,  all  the 
drawings  ond  literary  matter  for  the  work  ;  and  to  have  the  whole  under  his 
control  and  superintendence.  The  publisher  stipulated  to  find  funds  for  the 
completion  of  the  volumes.  To  support  the  heavy  expense  of  procuring  ma- 
terials, and  other  unavoidable  expenditures,  Wilsoa's  only  resource,  as  has  been 
stated,  was  in  coloring  the  plates. 

In  the  preface  to  the  fifth  volume  he  observes :  "  The  publication  of  an 
original  work  of  this  kind,  in  this  country,  has  been  attended  with  difficulties, 
great,  and,  it  must  be  confessed,  sometimes  discouraging  to  the  author,  whose 
only  reward  hitherto  has  been  the  favorable  opinion  of  his  fellow-citizens,  and 
the  pleasure  of  the  pursuit. 

"  Let  but  the  generous  hand  of  patriotism  be  stretched  forth  to  assist  and 
cherish  the  rising  arts  and  literature  of  our  country,  and  both  will  mo,st  assuredly, 
and  that  at  no  remote  period,  shoot  forth,  increase  and  flourish,  with  a  vigor,  a 
splendor  and  usefulness,  inferior  to  no  other  on  earth." 

We  have  here  an  affirmation  that  the  author  had  labored  without  reward, 
except  what  was  conferred  by  inefficient  praise ;  and  an  eloquent  appeal  to  the 
(frnero»ity  and  putriotism  of  hi.s  fellow-citizens.  Seven  illustrious  cities  disputed 
the  honor  of  having  given  birth  to  the  Prince  of  Epic  song.  Philadelphia  first 
beheld  fhtit  phenomenon,  the  "  American  Ornithology,"  rising  amidst  her 
boasted  opulence,  to  vindicate  the  claims  of  a  calumniated  portion  of  creation  j 
and  to  furnish  her  literary  pride  with  a  subject  of  exultation  for  ages  -o  come. 
Yet  duty  calls  upon  us  to  record  a  fact,  which  may  cause  our  native  city  to 
feel  the  glow  of  shame.  Of  all  her  literati,  her  men  of  benevolence,  taste  and 
riches,  seventy  only,  to  the  period  of  the  author's  decease,  had  the  liberality 
to  countenance  him  by  a  subscription,  more  than  half  of  whom  were  tradesmen, 
artists,  and  persons  of  the  middle  class  of  society  ;  whilst  the  little  city  of  New 
Orleans,  in  the  short  space  of  svrenleen  dej/s,  furnished  SIXTY  subf^eribers  to 
the  "  American  Ornithology!" 

Wilson  was  possessed  of  the  nicest  sense  of  honor.  In  all  his  dealingr,  he 
was  not  only  scrupulously  just,  but  highly  generous.  His  veneration  for  truth 
was  exemplary.  His  disposition  was  social  and  affectionate,  liis  benevolence 
was  extensive,  lie  was  remarkably  temiierate  in  eating  and  drinking,  his  love 
of  study  and  retirement  preserving  him  from  the  contaminating  influence  of 
the  convivial  circle.  But  as  no  one  is  perfect,  Wilson  in  a  small  degree  partook 
of  the  weakness  of  humanity,  lie  was  of  the  i/rniis  irrilabile,  and  was  obstinate 
in  opinion.  It  ever  gave  him  pleasure  to  acknowledge  error,  when  the  convic- 
tion resulted  from  his  own  judgmen'  alone,  but  he  could  not  endure  to  he  told 
of  his  mistakes.  Hence  Lis  as.sociates  had  to  be  sparing  of  their  criticisms, 
through  a  fear  of  forfeiting  his  friendship.  With  almost  all  his  friends  he  had 
oeeas'.onally,  arising  fniiii  a  cillisioB  nf  opinion,  some  slight  misunderstanding, 
which  was  soon  passed  over,  leaving  no  disagreeable  impression.  But  an  act 
oi"  disrespect  he  eonld  ill  brook,  and  a  wilful  injury  he  wnuld  seldom  forgive. 

In  his  person  he  was  of  a  middle  stature,  of  :\  thin  habit  of  body  ;  his  cheek- 
bones projected,  and  his  «yes,  though  buliow,  displaced  cousiderable  vivacity 


CXll 


LIFE    OF    WILSON. 


fe 


:   i 


: ' '( 


!  •.' 


1 

I 

1                                   J 

■  <   ■ 

-  i 

i  ,. 

aud  intelligenco;  liis  complexion  was  sallow,  his  mien  thoughtful;  his  features 
were  coarse,  and  there  was  a  dash  of  vulgarity  in  his  physiognomy,  which 
struck  the  observer  at  the  first  view,  but  which  failed  to  impress  one  on 
acquaintance.  His  walk  was  quick  when  travelling,  so  much  so  that  it  was 
difficult  for  a  companion  to  keep  pace  with  him ;  but  when  in  the  forests,  in 
pursuit  of  birds,  he  was  deliberate  and  attentive — he  was,  as  it  were,  all  eyes 
and  all  ears. 

Such  was  Alexander  Wilson.  When  the  writer  of  this  humble  biography 
indulges  in  retro-spection,  he  again  find.s  himself  in  the  society  of  that  individual 
whose  life  was  a  series  of  those  virtues  which  dignify  human  nature ;  he 
attends  him  in  his  wild-wood  rambles,  and  li.stens  to  those  pleasing  observations 
which  the  niagniticcnce  of  creation  was  wont  to  give  birth  to;  ho  sit.s  at  his 
feet,  and  receives  the  instructions  of  one,  in  science,  so  competent  to  teach  • 
he  beholds  him  in  the  social  circle,  and  notes  the  complacency  which  he  in.spircd 
in  all  aroun<L  IJut  the  transition  from  the  past  to  the  present  quickens  that 
anguish  with  which  his  heart  must  be  filled,  who  casts  a  melancholy  look  on 
those  scenes,  a  low  years  since  endeared  by  the  presence  of  one,  united  to  lijsn 
by  a  conformity  of  taste,  disposition  and  pursuit,  and  who  reflects  that  that 
belovi  d  friend  can  revisit  tliem  no  more. 

It  was  the  intention  of  WiWn.  on  the  completion  of  his  Ornithology,  to 
publish  an  etlition  in  four  volumes  oct.vo  ;  the  figures  to  be  engraved  in  wood, 
somewhat  after  the  manner  of  IJewiek's  liritish  IJirds ;  and  colored  with  all 
the  care  that  had  been  bestowed  on  the  original  plates.  If  he  had  lived  to 
effect  this  scheme,  the  public  would  have  been  put  in  possessior  of  a  work  of 
coMsiilerable  elegance,  as  respects  typograpliy  and  illustrations;  wherein  the 
subjecta  would  have  been  arranged  in  systematical  order;  and  the  whole  at  the 
co.>^t  of  not  more  than  one-fifth  part  of  the  quarto  edition. 

He  likewise  medit^ited  a  work  on  the  <juadrupeds  of  the  United  States  ;  to 
be  printed  in  the  same  splendid  style  of  the  Ornithology  ;  the  figures  to  bo 
engraved  with  the  highest  finish,  and  by  the  best  artists  of  our  country.  How 
much  has  science  lost  in  the  death  of  this  ingenious  and  indefatigable 
naturali.'^t  I 

His  remains  were  deposited  in  tho  cemetery  of  the  Swedish  church,  in  tho 
district  of  Southwark,  I'hil.idelphia.  While  in  the  enjoyment  of  health,  he 
had  conversed  with  a  friend  on  the  subject  of  his  death,  and  exfire.s.-cil  a  wi.-ih 
to  be  buried  in  some  rural  spot,  sacred  to  poaoe  and  solitude,  whither  the 
charms  of  nature  might  itivito  the  steps  of  the  votary  of  the  Muses,  and  tho 
lover  of  science,  and  where  the  birds  might  sing  over  his  grave. 

It  has  been  an  occasion  of  regret  to  those  of  his  friends,  to  whom  was  con- 
fided tho  mournful  duty  of  ordering  his  funeral,  that  his  desire  had  not  been 
made  known  to  them,  otherwise  it  should  have  been  jiiously  ol)served. 

A  plain  marble  toml>  marks  the  spot  where  lie  tho  ashes  of  this  cclebratM 
man;  it  bears  tho  following  inscription  : 


LIFE    OF    WILSON.  cxiu 

"  ThiH  Monument 

Covers  the  Uemains  of 

ALEXANDER  WILSON, 

Author  of  the 

AMERICAN  ORNITHOLOGY. 

He  was  born  in  Renfrewshire,  Scotland, 

On  the  G  July,  1766 ; 

V  Emigrated  to  the  United  States 

In  the  Year  1794  ; 
And  Died  in  Philadelphia 

Of  the  Dysentery, 
On  the  23  Aufrust,  1813, 
:-.     :  Aged  47."  ,  '       '    ; 

I  shall  now  offer  some  brief  remarks  upon  those  writings  of  Wilson,  which 
have  fallen  under  my  notice ;  and  in  the  performance  of  this  task,  it  will 
become  my  duty  to  speak  of  a  work,  which  I  had  hoped  would  be  permitted 
to  lie  in  oblivion,  but  which  either  the  indiscreet  partiality  of  friends,  or  the' 
avarice  of  a  publisher,  has  lately  draggcl  forth  to  the  view  of  the  public. 
From  thi'  volume  which  the  author  published  himself,  in  the  year  171)1,  und 
which  is  entitled  "  I'oems,  Humorous,  Satirical,  and  Serious,"  a  selection  was 
made,  and  published,  in  1816,  at  Paisley  and  at  London,  under  the  title  of 
"  Poems,  Chiefly  in  the  Scottish  Dialect;  by  Alexander  Wilson,  Author  of 
American  Ornithology."  When  I  commenced  reading  this  selection,  it  was 
my  intention  to  note  its  beauties  and  defects ;  but  when  I  found  how  greatly 
the  latter  predominated,  it  occurred  to  me  that  no  good  could  result  from  a 
critical  examination  of  a  work  which  few  would  nsad,  which  contains  nothing 
deserving  of  applause;  and  which,  if  it  has  hitherto  escaped  criticism,  it  is 
because  it  h.is  been  deemed  unworthy  of  a  deliberate  investigation. 

The  early  writings  of  but  few  authors  are  worthy  of  being  read,  except  for 
the  purpose  of  tracing  the  progress  of  the  mind.  When  one  surveys  the  Wurk 
in  question  with  this  view,  one  is  astonished  to  find  no  indication  of  that  genius 
which  is  so  conspicuous  in  after-life;  a  barrenness  of  invention,  a  poverty  of 
expression,  a  deficiency  of  taste  and  judgment,  arc  its  characteristics. 

The  author  of  the  '■  Biographical  Sketch,"  appended  to  the  Selection*  above 

•  It  rtpponrs  I>y  tlio  ndverli'ionipnt  afflxod  to  tliis  splcclion,  flint  it  "  was  mailc  and 
piiiiti'il  'jihUt  llio  ilircctiiiii  (if  a  t-'cntlcmati  who  Ims  since  jiniil  the  ilcht  of  nature  ;"  and 
lljDt  "  it  WHS  his  iiitciitioii  to  (live  the  life  of  Wilson."  If  one  were  Hllowod  to  form  a 
ronjectnrt'  of  the  ahilitit;«  of  this  editor,  hy  the  jinl^nii'nt  displayed  in  his  choice,  one 
wonld  have  no  reaRon  to  regret  that  his  task  was  never  aceotnplished.  Ilow  ho  could 
ndniit  such  productions  as  "The  W««p's  Kcvengc,"  and  the  "  Verses  on  the  Death  of  a 
Favorite  Spaniel,"  one  miiy  well  in(|nirp. 

'I'littt  Wilson  himself  entertained  a  mean  opinion  of  his  hoyish  puhlieatinn,  I  am 
authorized  to  assert  from  the  circumstnnce,  that,  thuu);h  possessinj;  a  eopy,  he  would 
never  allow  me  to  rend  it,  notwiihstamlinj;  I  frecjiiently  urjred  him  to  (jrant  me  this  favor. 

An  itinerant  ScolclitnnTi  once  ciilled  upon  Wilson's  executors,  with  a  re((ucst  that  he 
miifht  lie  HJlowed  the  privilege  of  printiii);  an  edition  of  his  poems,  urging,  in  justifica- 
tion of  ihe  prOiiOnitlon,  Ins  |>cculi»r  fitnesn,  by  hi*  knowledge  of  the  Seottiah  dinleet,  fhr 

Vol..  I. -II 


:  I? 


ex  IV 


LIFE    OF    AVILSON. 


I    > 


mentioned,  says,  "  We  liave  it  from  Wilson's  acquaintance,  that  many  of  the 
poems  lie  had  written  were  coiuniitted  to  the  flames,  without  a  moment's  oon- 
sideration,  because  the  subject  had  lost  its  interest  with  himself."  The  writer 
thus  <;ravcly  accounts  for  this  conduct :  "  This  instability  of  conduct  was,  no 
•  doubt,  the  result  of  unttiward  circumstances,  operating  upon  a  mind  ardent  io 
the  pursuit  of  something;  yet  undefined,  or  tincortain  of  the  path  it  should  fol- 
low, to  attain  that  eminence  and  independence  after  which  it  so  ardently 
aspired."  Would  it  not  be  a  more  rational  supposition,  that,  as  ho  advanced 
in  knowledfie.  he  was  taught  to  reject  what  he  lould  not  but  be  convinced  was 
unworthy  of  the  public  eye?  If  wo  may  form  a  conjecture  of  what  was 
destroyed,  by  what  was  sanctioned  by  his  own  act  of  publication,  there  is  cer- 
tainly no  cause  to  mourn  the  loss ;  and  one  can  hardly  forbear  wishing  that 
the  whole  had  met  a  similar  fate. 

Of  all  the  poetical  productions  of  Wilson,  written  while  in  Scotland,  his  tale 
of  "Watty  and  Meg"  is  the  only  one  tliat  has  obtained  popularity.  In  Cromck'a 
•'  Select  Scottish  Songs"  it  is  thus  introduced  :  "  The  reader  is  here  presented 
with  an  ex(]uisite  picture  from  low  life,  drawn  with  all  the  fidelity  and  exact- 
ness of  Teniers,  or  Ostade,  and  enlivened  with  the  humor  of  Hogarth.  The 
story  excites  as  much  interest  as  if  it  bad  been  written  in  a  dramatic  form, 
and  really  represented.  The  interest  heightens  as  it  proceeds,  and  is  supported 
with  wonderful  spirit  to  the  close  of  the  poem. 

•'  It  must  iiave  been  in  no  small  degree  gratifying  to  the  feelings  of  the 
author,  who  published  it  anonymously,  that,  during  a  rapid  sale  of  seven  or 
eight  editions,  the  public,  universally,  a.scribed  it  to  the  pen  of  Burns.  The 
author  nf  '  Will  and  Jean;  cr,  Scotland's  Scaith,'  had  the  candor  to  acknow- 
ledge to  the  editor  that  he  was  indebted  to  tliis  ex()uisite  poem  for  the  founda- 
tion of  that  popular  performance." 

This  tale  is  certainly  told  in  a  spirited  manner;  but  whether  it  is  entitled 
to  all  the  encomiums  which  have  been  lavished  upon  it  or  not,  may  admit  of  a 
i|uestion.  The  incidents  are  all  common-place  :  a  drani-driiiking  husband  seek- 
ing refuge,  in  an  ale-house,  from  a  scolding  wife,  who  pursues  him  thither,  and 
upbraids  him,  in  no  gentle  terms,  for  deserting  his  home  and  family,  and  spend- 
ing his  time  and  substance  among  drunken  blackguards.  A  p()t  companion 
h'ld  adviseil  bin)  to  try  the  experiment  of  threatening  to  abandon  her,  in  order 
to  bring  her  into  subjection  :  a  scheme  which  had  had  a  happy  effect  in  taming 


extending  the  fame  of  the  nnthor  of  ilic  Aiiicricrtn  Ornitholojfy  !  It  is  needless  to  add 
that  this  poor  spliemor  was  dismlKscd  with  the  reply,  tlmt  the  fntne  of  W'lson  did  nut 
■itBiKl  ill  iicc(l  of  his  assistance. 

It  is  luiicli  to  tlic  honor  of  the  Amoricnn  prc.41,  that  it  has  altstainol  from  rcprintiii); 
the  work,  which,  with  unfoinnwl  sorrow,  I  have  Iiccu  rumpelled,  by  a  «cn»c  of  duty,  to 
animadvert  so  sevorcly  upon.  Hut  I  must  confen9,  that  when  n  orothcr  weaver,  Robert 
Taiiiiiihiil,  was  introduced  to  our  notice,  I  trcmlili'd  for  the  fate  of  Wilson. 

As  ha*  iK'cn  stijtcd,  Wilson's  poem  of  the  "  Korcslors"  was  first  puMislied  in  the  Port- 
Folio.  Shortly  after  the  ilecease  of  its  nullior,  n  very  mojeat  and  hone.il  ^eiitlemnn,  living 
in  Pennsylvania,  undertook  its  repuhlication  ;  and  actually  took  out  a  <»/)^ri'yA<  for  the 
saiBC.  That  the  poem  wa.s  reprinted  need  not  excite  our  wonder  ;  but  that  its  tiate  should 
have  been  monopolized  by  a  patent,  is  a  trick  of  trmlc  well  worthy  uf  remark. 


LIFE    OF   WILSON. 


oxv 


illlTt 


I'ort- 

[ving 

the 

liouUl 


his  own  wife,  who  had  given  evidence  of  a  shrewinh  disposition.  The  e^ipori- 
inent  being  luiule  by  Wnfty,  Meg  is  brought  to  terms.  She  solemnly  promises 
to  keep  hor  temper — never  again  to  scold  her  husband — never  to  follow  him  to 
the  beer-house — never  to  put  drunken  to  his  name — never  to  look  sad  when 
he  shall  come  home  late — never  to  kick  his  shins,  or  pull  his  hair; — and  lastly 
she  consent**,  with  tears,  that  tlu-ir  hard  earnings  shall  be  kept  solely  by  him- 
self. The  husband,  rejoiced  at  this  evidence  of  her  humility  and  contrition, 
kisses  her,  and  so  the  story  ends. 

In  the  nianagemenl  of  this  tide  there  is  little  art  displayed ;  there  is  some 
natural  description,  it  is  true ;  but  the  laws  of  poetical  justice  are  but  ill 
observed,  when  misconduct  so  glaring  as  that  of  Watty's  is  passed  over  with- 
out censure ;  and  he  is  allowed  to  triumph  over  the  subjection  of  a  poor 
woman,  whose  temper  had  become  soured  by  his  idleness  and  debauchery. 

Such  stories  are  not  calculated  to  do  good ;  on  the  contrary,  they  may  pro- 
mote vice;  and  surely  the  vice  of  intemperance  is  no  trifling  evil  in  society. 
To  blend  instruction  with  amusement,  we  are  told,  should  be  the  aim  of  all 
writers  of  fiction,  particularly  poets,  whose  influence  over  the  mind  has  always 
been  predominant.  It  is  ju  tly  remarked,  by  an  elegant  writer,*  that  "there 
seems  to  be  something  in  poetry  that  raises  the  possessors  of  that  very  singular 
talent  far  higher  in  the  estimation  of  the  world  in  general,  than  those  who 
excel  in  any  other  of  the  refined  arts.''  Then  let  poets  fake  heed  lest  they 
misapply  those  talents,  which,  if  properly  directed,  may  be  made  subservient 
to  the  best  interests  of  society. 

In  justice  to  our  author,  I  would  remark,  that,  though  fond  of  describing 
scenes  of  low  life,  with  whieli  liis  education  and  habits  had  rendered  him 
familiar,  yet  he  appeared  to  have  escaped  the  contaniiiiating  influence  of  vulgar 
associates,  when  arrived  at  manhood.  His  conduct,  in  this  country,  was  truly 
exemplary.  This  (jbservation,  though  out  of  place,  I  hero  make,  us  it  seems 
to  belong,  incidentally,  to  the  subject  upon  which  I  have  been  commenting. 

The  last  edition  of  Watty  and  Jleg^^ published  unJer  the  inspection  of  the 
author,  and  by  him  corrected,  was  that  given  in  the  Port  Folio  for  October, 
1810. 

The  poetic  effusions  of  Wilson,  after  ho  came  to  .\nieriea,  afford  evidence 
of  an  improved  taste,  He  acquired  a  facility  of  versification  b3'  practice;  as 
his  mind  expanded  with  knowledge,  his  judgment  received  an  accession  of 
strength  ;  and  he  displays  a  fancy  which  we  look  for  in  vain  in  his  juvenile 
essays.  But  we  must  be  understood  na  comparing  hitn  only  with  himself,  at 
(lifl'cront  periods  of  his  life.  Whether  or  not  he 'ever  attained  to  positive 
excellence  in  poetry,  may  be  a  subject  of  dispute. 

hi  his  •'  Solitary  Tutor,"  we  are  presented  with  a  picture  of  himself,  while 
nffupied  in  teaching  a  country  school.  The  description  of  his  place  of  resi- 
dence, his  school-house,  the  adjoining  forest,  where  many  of  his  leisure  houra 
were  pa.ssed,  and  where  he  first  commenced  studying  the  manners  of  those 
birds,  which  he  subsequently  immortalized  in  his  splendid  work,  is  animated 
and  graphical.     The  fabric  of  these  verses  reminds  us  of  the  Minstrel ;  and 


\ 


*  Melmoth'g  Fitaosbome,  letter  53. 


,,    u 


CXTl 


LIFE    OF    WILSON, 


that  ho  had  this  delightful  poem  in  his  eye.  wo  arc  convinced  by  some  of  the 
descriptions  and  sentimcnta.     The  stanza  boginninji, 

"  In  thcso  green  (olitudes,  pno  favorite  spot," 

is  sccurately  descriptive  of  a  place,  in  Bartran^.'s  woods,  whither  ho  used  to 
retire  for  the  purposes  of  reading  and  contemplation,  and  where  he  planned 
his  Ornithology.  Of  the  fauita  of  this  little  poem  I  will  merely  remark,  thot 
the  initial  quatrain  is  prosaic;  and  that  the  last  lino  bofrnys  an  unaccountable 
dofitMcncy  of  taste. 

The  lovers  of  rural  scenery  will  learn  with  regret,  that  this  fine  piece  of 
forest,  consecrated  to  the  Muses  of  poetry  and  natural  history,  by  Wilson,  is 
fast  disappearing  beneath  the  axe  of  the  husbandman.  Already  is  the  brook, 
which  was  "  o'erhung  with  alden.  and  mantling  vines."  exposed  to  the  glare 
of  day;  the  favorite  haunt,s  of  the  Wood  Thrush  are  invaded  ;  and,  ere  long, 
like  his  lamented  liistorian,  his  place  will  be  known  there  no  more. 

His  poetical  description  of  the  Hlue-bird,  which  originally  appeared  in  the 
first  volume  of  the  Ornithology,  has  been  copied  into  many  publications,  and 
Btill  m.-.intains  its  popularity.  It  contains  some  ill-conistructed  lines,  and 
some  ihymes  so  grossly  defective,  that  wo  wonder  how  he  could  have  tole- 
rated them  in  a  production  of  only  half  a  dozen  stanzas.  The  last  quatrain 
of  the  fourth  sl^inza  contains  false  syntax  ;  the  constructiuu  is  not  regular  and 
dependent,  the  adverb  so  bciiig  out  of  place.  In  the  third  .«tanza  there  is  a 
grammatical  error.  Yet  in  this  little  poem,  Wilson's  happy  talent  of  describ- 
ing rural  scenery,  and  the  habits  of  birds,  is  conspicuous.  The  picture  is 
charming,  and  more  so  to  an  American,  who  knows  how  beautifully  accurate 
are  it«  outlines.  We  sec  the  disappearing  of  the  snows  of  Winter;  the  busy 
labors  of  the  fishermen  ;  the  wild  geese  laboring  their  airy  way  to  the  north  ;  the 
lone  butterfly  fluttering  over  the  meadows ;  the  red  mrti)le  buds  bursting  into 
life;  and,  finally,  "the  herald  of  Spring,"  the  well-known  blue-bird,  hailing 
"with  his  warblings  the  charms  of  the  sea.son."  The 'warm  sunshine  brings 
out  the  frogs  from  their  retreats,  and  their  piping  is  heard  throughout  tlio 
marshes;  the  woodland  flowers  unfold  their  charms  to  the  eye;  and  the  indus- 
trious housewives  repair  to  their  gardens.  The  useful  bird  is  beheld  flitting 
through  the  orchard  in  search  of  noxious  insects,  he  drags  the  devouring  grub 
from  the  newly-planted  maize,  and  tli(.'  caterpillars  from  their  webs.  The 
ploughman  is  plea.sed  to  behold  him  gleaning  in  his  furrows,  and  the  gardener 
suspends  bis  labors  to  listen  to  his  simple  song.  "  When  all  the  gay  scene.?  of 
the  summer  are  o'er,"  we  observe  him  lingering  about  his  native  home,  like  a 
solitary  outcast;  we  hear  his  melancholy  adieu  from  the  leafless  branch,  and 
mourn  his  departure  as  that  of  a  beloved  friend. 

Of  all  Wilson's  minor  effusions  this  plea.ses  me  the  most.  Its  imagery  is  de- 
rived from  objects  that  are  familiar  to  us,  but  yet  it  is  not  trite  ;  none  but  an  at- 
tentive observer  of  nature  could  have  conceived  it,  and  expressed  it  so  naturally. 

It  appears  to  have  been  his  intention  to  concentrate  all  his  poetical  powers 
in  his  '•  Foresters,"  resti?ig  his  hope  of  fame  ibiefly  upon  this  production. 
That  the  time  spent  in  constructing  it,  might  have  been  better  eraployeil  in 
writing  a  simple  prose  narrative  of  u  journey,  which  was  fruitful  of  interesting 


LIFE    OF    WILSON, 


ox  VII 


events,  must  be  obvious  to  many  of  the  readers  of  tbis  poem,  who  are  ao- 
qaainted  with  the  author's  talents  for  description,  and  his  appropriate  diction, 
of  which  wo  are  presented  with  oxaniplos  in  his  letters  and  his  Urnitholoj^y. 
On  first  reading  this  production  such  was  my  impression,  and  a  roperusal  has 
not  induced  mu  to  change  my  opinion. 
In  his  exordium  ho  is  not  very  liappy : 

"  Sons  of  the  city  I  ye  whom  crowds  and  noiae 
Bereave  of  peace,  and  Nature's  rural  joi/i." 

The  noise  of  a  crowded  city  may  bereave  its  inhabitants  of  peace,  but  it  is  dif- 
ficult to  conceive  how  it  can  have  a  tendency  to  deprive  them  of  the  delights 
of  tho  country. 

In  the  account  of  his  companions  and  himself  lie  is  too  circumstantial, 
det<iils  of  this  kind  correspond  not  well  with  the  dignity  of  poetry ; 

"An  oilskin  covering  glittered  round  his  l";ad." 
"A  knapsack  crammed  by  Friendship's  generous  care 
With  cakes  and  cordials,  drains  and  dainty  fare  ; 
Flasks  tilled  with  powder,  leathern  Ixdts  with  shot, 
Clothes,  colors,  paper,  pencils, — and  what  not." 

Also  in  another  place : 

"  Full  loaded  peach  trees  drooping  hung  around,  '' 

Their  mellow  fruit  thick  scattered  o'er  tho  ground ;  • 

Six  cents  proctiretl  us  «  sufficient  store, 
Our  napkins  crammed  ami  pockelt  running  o'er." 

Many  of  bis' rhymes  are  bad,  particularly  in  the  latter  part  of  the  pc«m, 
from  the  carelessness  of  tho  composition  of  which,  one  is  led  to  conjecture  that 
he  was  weary  of  his  protracted  labor.  We  liave  tale  and  smile;  seiit  and 
want;  blest  and  past;  bespread  and  clad;  and  many  other  similar  imperfec- 
tions. 

The  conclusi')!!  of  the  poem  is  a  specimen  of  slovenly  and  inaccurate  com- 
position : 

"  And  when  some  short  and  broken  slumbers  ca»M 
Still  rounil  us  roaring  swept  th' outrageous  »<rB<im;  -  i^ 

'  Whclmeil  in  the  (/re/)  we  sunk  fii(/ii//i'(/,  forlorn  ; 

Or  down  the  dreadful  rapids  helpless  borne  ;  >" 

Groaning  we  start  I   ami  at  the /(>u(/r»i'n(/ uHir, 
Ask  our  bewildered  senses  where  we  are." 

In  common  with  those  who  arc  ignorant  of  naval  aifairs,  be  commits  a 
blunder  in  the  Mjio  of  tho  technical  term  main-sheet,  mistaking  it  for  a  sail : 


-"  They  trim  their  thundering  sail, 


*  "  The  boom  and  m(iin-sA«e(  bending  to  the  gale." 

The  main-sheet  is  tho  rope  by  means  of  which  the  boom  is  govornod,  either 
eased  off,  or  drawn  in,  as  suits  the  state  of  tho  wind.  .;-  « 


CXTlll 


LIFE    OF    WILSON. 


Ill  a  poem  consisting  of  more  than  two  thousand  lines,  it  would  bo  strange 
if  some  touches  of  cxcelicnce  could  not  bo  found,  some  pussiiges  which  prove 
tliat  the  autlior  not  only  possessed  poetical  ideas,  but  also  was  familiar  with  flic 
art  of  jwetieal  expression.  In  his  description  of  the  culm,  smoky,  autumnal 
weather,  which,  in  America,  is  usuall\  dcnoininatt'd  tiio  Jndittn  Summn-,  wo 
are  presented  with  a  beautiful  image,  which  I  do  not  recollect  to  have  seen 
oUewhero : 

"Slow  aailed  the  thistle-down  along  tho  lawn." 


i        'S 


The  description  of  the  Piitch  furniar,  and  his  habitation,  would  not  disgraco 
the  author  of  Kip  Van  Winkle. 

In  tho  eiiuineratiou  of  the  miseries  of  a  country  schoolmaster  there  is  much 
truth;  and  the  picture  is  vividly  and  feclin;;ly  drawn  from  nature.  Tew  had 
more  experience  than  Wil.-son  of  the  degrnded  conditi'Mi  of  a  teacher,  when 
under  the  ciiiitnil  of  the  vulgar  and  ignorant;  a  state  co.npared  with  which  tho 
lot  of  the  hew<r  of  wood,  and  drawer  of  water,  is  tru'y  enviable. 

The  aceouni  of  ilaiii/j/  S(|Uares,  the  settler,  and  that  of  I'at  Dniighcrty,  tho 
shopkeeper  and  publican,  contain  some  humor.  The  latti-r  is  a  disgusting 
exhibition  of  one  of  those  barbarians,  whom  tho  traveller  often  iiicets  with  in 
the  inferior  of  our  country  ;  and  who.se  ignorance,  bestiality  and  vice,  have  the 
tendency  to  di^abu.se  one  on  the  Mibject  of  the  virtue  and  happiness  usually 
attributed  to  the  inhabi(ant^s  reinute  from  our  largo  cities,  which,  instead  of 
being  the  mily  nurseries  of  corrupti<.n,  as  is  believed  and  aSirnieil,  are  the 
great  schojils  wherein  science,  literature,  piety  and  manners,  arc  most  effectively 
taught,  and  most  benefleially  practised. 

The  sketcli  of  the  Indian  hunter  is  entided  to  praise,  as  being  vigorous  and 
picturestfue  ;  and  the  description  of  the  MM  or  (iray  Kaglcs,  sailing  amid  the 
mist  of  the  Cataract  of  Niagara,  is  a  picture  drawn  with  fidelity — it  is  poetical 
and  sublime. 

After  this  superficial  review  of  the  poems  of  Wilson,  the  question  will 
naturally  arise,  ought  we  to  consicU-r  biui  as  one  endued  with  those  rc(|uisites, 
which  entitle  his  productions  to  rank  with  the  works  of  the  poets,  properly  so 
called?  To  write  suKHitb  and  agreeable  verses  is  an  art  of  no  very  difficult 
purchase;  we  see  it  daily  exemplified  by  personr^  of  education,  whose  leisure 
permits  them  to  beguile  a  lonely  hour  with  an  employment  at  once  delightful 
and  instructive.  Hut  when  one  considers  the  tenijiorary  nature  of  the  great 
mass  of  these  fugitive  essays,  that  they  are  read  and  reinenibered  just  «'i  long 
as  is  the  ephemeral  sheet,  or  magazine,  the  columns  of  which  they  adorn  ;  one 
can  form  no  high  exj>cctations  of  the  long  life  of  that  poetry  which  seldom  rises 
beyond  mediocrity,  whicli  sonietiiiies  sinks  greatly  below  it;  and  which  is 
indebted,  in  no  small  degree,  to  the  adventitious  aid  of  a  name,  respleiuhjiit  in 
another  walk  of  literature,  for  that  countcnanco  and  support,  which  its  own 
intrinsic  meritj*,  singly,  could  never  claim. 

I  am  aware  that  these  brief  observations  on  tlie  jxtetry  of  Wilson,  are  not 
calculateil  to  give  pleasure  to  those  of  his  friends,  who  have  been  in  the  habit 
of  regarding  liiiii  as  one  possessing  no  small  claim  to  the  inspiration  of  the 
Muses.      Hut  let  such  .remember  the  dett^rmination  of  a  profound  critic,  that 


n  .Ji^ 


LIFE    OF    WILSON. 


oxiz 


"no  quoHtion  can  be  more  innocently  dixcuNHcd  than  a  duad  pout's  pretensions 
to  renown;  and  little  regard  in  duo  to  that  bigotry  which  8ct«  candor  higher 
than  truth."* 

When  Wilson  ooninirncod  the  publication  of  Iuh  IliHtory  of  the  Hirds  of  the 
United  kStatcH,  ho  was  (|uite  a  novice  in  the  study  of  the  Science  of  Ornithology. 
This  arose  from  two  (viu.xos  :  his  poverty,  whicli  prevented  him  from  owning 
the  works  of  those  autlmrs,  who  had  particularly  attended  to  the  clas.siiication 
and  nomenclature  of  birds ;  and  his  contempt  of  the  labors  of  closet  naturalists, 
whose  dry  descriptions  convey  anything  but  pli'u.Hure  to  that  mind,  which  has 
been  disciplined  in  the  school  of  Nature.  IJut  the  difficulties  under  whicli  he 
labored  soon  convinced  him  of  the  necessity  of  those  helps,  which  only  books 
can  supply ;  and  his  repugnan<'e  to  systems,  as  re|)ulsive  as  they  are  at  the  first 
view,  gradtuilly  gave  place  to  more  enlarged  notions,  on  the  course  to  be  pursued 
by  him,  who  would  not  only  attain  to  kiiowledu'c,  by  the  readiest  means,  but 
who  would  impart  that  knowledge,  in  the  most  effective  manner,  to  others. 

As  I'ar  as  I  can  learn,  he  had  act'css  but  to  two  systems  of  Ornithology — that 
of  Linnasus,  as  translated  by  Dr.  Tin  ton,  and  the  ••  General  Synopsis."  of  Dr. 
Latham. f  The  arrangement  of  the  latter  ho  adopted  in  his  '•  General  Index" 
of  Land  Birds,  appended  to  the  sixth  volume;  and  he  intended  to  pursue  the 
same  s^.-'tem  for  the  Water  Hirds,  at  the  conclusitm  of  his  work. 

The  nature  of  his  plan  prevented  him  from  proceeding  in  regular  order, 
according  to  the  system  adopted,  it  being  his  intention  to  publish  as  fast  as  the 
materials  accumulated;  and  he  being  in  some  measure  compellvil,  by  moti\e>i 
of  economy,  to  apportion  his  figures  to  the  space  they  would  occupy  in  the 
plates,  he  thereby  brings  to  our  view,  birds  not  only  of  different  genera,  but 
of  different  habits,  as.sociated  in  a  manner  not  wholly  unnatural,  but  abb'irrent 
from  the  views  of  those  systeniatists,  who  account  every  deviation  from  method 
an  inexcusable  fault. 

With  the  art  of  persjective,  it  would  appear,  he  was  imperfectly  aequaitited  ; 
hence  there  are  errors  in  his  drawings,  which  the  rigid  critic  cannot  overlook. 
These  errors  occur  most  frequently  in  the  feet  and  the  tails  of  his  birds,  the 
latter  of  which,  with  the  view  of  being  characteristically  displayed,  are  fre- 
quent distorted  in  a  manner,  which  no  expediency  can  ju.stify.  One  can  hardly 
forbear  smiling  at  tin'  want  of  corropondcnce  between  the  figure  of  the  Sharp- 
shinned  Hawk,  and  the  fence  upon  which  it  is  mounted,  the  former,  instead 
of  aiqiearing  of  the  size  of  nature,  for  which  the  author  intended  it,  absolutely 
assuming  the  bulk  of  an  elephant. 

Hut  notwithstanding  these  defect/^,  there  is  a  spirit  in  some  of  his  drawings 
which  is  admirable.  Having  been  taught  drawing  from  natural  models,  he  of 
course  became  familiar  with  natural  attitudes:  hence  his  superiority,  in  this 


•  Johnson's  I'rcfare  to  ISIinksponrp. 

f  Tlic  lilirary  of  Wilson  ocriipiiMl  bat  a  smnll  spn.f.  On  caytiii);  my  e_v(»,  nl'tcr  his 
(IcrcHso,  over  the  Ion  or  a  lUarn  volunici  of  whicli  it  wii.n  compoaocl,  I  was  (;riovt'(l  to  find 
that  he  liail  U'cn  tlio  owner  of  only  one  work  on  Ornitholocy,  and  that  was  Hewiok's 
Hrilisli  Hinls.  }\ir  itii-  u«e  of  the  first  vi>luine  of  Turton's  LiiiiiaMi!*,  ho  whs  iiidehtcd  to 
the  fri<:nd«liip  uf  Mr,  Thunia:i  Say  ;  the  I'liiluileliihia  Liliritry  >u|iplieil  liiut  with  Ldtliam. 


oxx 


LIFK    OF    WILSON. 


li 


If 


respect,  to  Jill  nuthorn  extant.  Ainoii^'  \m  tiKurcH  luoMt  worthy  of  n.itiuo,  I 
would  i>iirticiiliiri/.o  llits  Shore  hurk,  Urowii  Croopcr.  I';;UHe  nnd  Wintor 
Wrens,  MocLint;-nird,  (!iinliiml  (iroHlicuk,  ('.>w  Huntin-M,  Mottled  Owl,  Men- 
dow  liiirk,  Hum  Swtiliown,  Snipe  and  I'urtridge,  Uuil  uiid  Wu()d(oek,  lunl  tho 
Uiift'ed  (jrouHO. 

The  introduction  of  approprinto  scenery,  in'o  a  work  of  »hin  kind,  can  have 
no  gowl  effect,  unlcsH  it  be  nmdc  to  hnrninnijie.  lM)th  ax  to  design  nnd  cxecu. 
tion,  with  «he  Icndinj;  suhjcetH ;  hence  Wilson's  landscupcH,  in  the  eye  of'titste, 
must  nlwiiyH  bo  viewed  M  a  blemish,  as  he  was  not  skilful  in  this  branch  of 
ihe  art  <>f  deline;ition  ;  and,  even  if  he  liiid  l)ei!n  de."stcrous,  he  was  not  author- 
ized to  increase  the  expenditures  of  a  wi>rk,  which,  long  before  itM  ttruiiuatiuu, 
itj*  publisher  discovered  to  bo  inconveniently  burdensome. 

The  principal  objections  which  1  liave  heard  urged  against  tho  Ornitliology, 
relate  to  tho  coloring ;  but  a.s  the  difficuhies  to  w  hich  its  author  wa.s  sul)ieetcd, 
on  this  score,  have  been  already  detailed,  I  will  merely  observe,  that  he  found 
them  too  great  to  lie  surmounted.  Hence  a  generous  eritic  will  not  impute  to 
him  as  a  fault,  what,  in  truth,  ought  to  be  viewed  in  the  light  of  a  misfortuno. 
In  his  specific  dctinitions  be  is  lnoso  and  uifysteniatic.  He  docs  not  appear 
to  have  been  convinced  of  tho  necessity  of  precision  on  this  head  ;  his  essential 
ami  natural  characters  are  not  discriminated  ;  and,  in  some  instances,  he  con- 
founds generic  and  specific  charaelers,  which  the  laws  of  uicthodicul  scienoo 
do  not  authorize. 

There  is  a  peculiarity  in  his  nrthogrii|ihy,  wliieb  it  is  proper  tliat  T  should 
take  notice  of,  for  the  purpose  of  explaining  his  motive  for  un  anomaly,  at  oneo 
inelegant  and  injudicious.  I  have  his  own  authority  for  stating,  that  ho 
adopted  this  mode  of  spelling,  at  the  particular  instance  of  th*;  late  .loel  Har- 
low, who  vainly  hoped  to  give  currency,  in  his  heavy  Kpie,  to  an  innovation, 
which  greater  names  than  his  own  had  been  unable  to  efl'cct. 

••  Some  ingenious  men,"  says  Johnson,  ■- have  endeavored  to  deserve  well 
of  their  country  by  writing  fionor  and  Itiljor  lor  honaur  and  laLour,  nil  for  nail 
in  the  pretcr-tense,  *<ii»  for  »<i.y»,  refute  for  rt-peut,  ejcplanv  for  i:.iji/<iiii,  or 
drcliimr  for  Jecluim.  Of  these  it  may  be  said,  that  as  they  have  done  no 
good,  they  have  done  little  harm;  both  heeouse  they  have  innovated  little, 
and  becau.se-few  have  followed  thein." 

The  recommendation  of  tho  learned  lexicograplicr,  above  cited,  ought  U)  be 
laid  to  heart  by  all  thone  wliosc  "vanity  seeks  praise  by  petty  reformation" 
"  I  hope  1  may  b«!  allowed,"  says  lie,  '•  to  recomuiend  to  those,  whose  tht)UghtH 
have  been  perhaps  employed  tuo  anxiously  on  verbal  singularities,  not  to  dis- 
turb upon  narrow  views,  or  for  minute  propriety,  tlie  orthography  of  their 
fathers.  There  is  in  constancy  and  ability  a  general  and  lasting  advantage, 
which  will  always  overbalance  the  slow  improvements  of  gradual  correction  " 

As  it  must  be  obvious  that,  without  )><K>ks,  it  would  bo  impossible  to  avoid 
error  in  .synonynies  nnd  nomeiii'lature,  so  we  find  that  our  author,  in  thoso 
rei'pects.  has  rendered  hiin>elf  obnoxious  to  rcj)rouch. 

That  he  was  not  ambitious  of  the  honor  of  forming  now  genera,  appoars 
from  the  eiicumstunee,  that,  although  he  found  the  system  of  Latham  needed 
reformation,  yet   he  ventured   to  propose  but  one  genus,  the  Curvinittra,  tho 


LIFE    OF    WILSON. 


cxxi 


chaiactera  of  which  uro  ho  ubvious,  thut  uiic  ia  BHtoniiihud  that  ho  learned  ati 
ornithi>li)giiit  on  Luthaiii,  HhoulU  have  contented  hiniitelf  with  arraugin^  the 
iipnuiuH  a|i|>ertuiniiiK  to  it  with  otherx,  iho  eonforniatinn  of  whotte  billii  iu  no 
diHMiinilur.  It  may  bo  nucuMitury  to  Htuto  tiiat  the  C'rottitbiilii  had  been  orected 
into  u  Hcpuruto  ^enu.s,  under  the  dcnouiinution  of  C'rucironlra,  by  un  author 
v.hoHo  works  WiJHon  hud  no  knowludffu  of;  und  I  have  rcumin  to  believe  that 
even  tlic  i;t'nurio  iippeilution  of  Cnrvirontni  bad  been  nnticr])ated,  by  a  writer 
(III  tlie  (irnitholo^y  of  tliu  northern  partM  of  Kuropc.  liriHMou  limited  hitf 
freniu  Loxia  to  the  CrooHbiiltt,  und  thin  judieiou(>  reatrietioD  appcura  to  be 
now  Huuctioncd  by  ull  iiaturuliHtH  of  uuthority. 

TiiiMe  irt  a  Hpeeiett  of  learning,  which  ia  greatly  uifeeted  by  puny  uiindH,  and 
for  which  our  author  entertained  the  moat  hearty  contempt:  this  m  the  uuinca 
)iy  which  certuin  natioiiH  of  Indiumt  deHigiiuted  nuturul  objcetM.  Hence  we 
nowhere  tind  IiIh  work  dixfigiireil  by  thoHo  "  uncouth  arid  inmunagcable 
words,"  which  Home  writern  have  recorded  with  a  solemnity,  which  should  iteeui 
til  jirove  a  conviction  of  their  importance;  but  which,  in  almost  every  instance, 
are  a  reproach  to  their  vanity  and  their  ignorance.  Can  anything  be  more 
jirepoHtcrous  than  fnr  one  to  give  a  cutuloguo  of  names  in  a  language,  the 
grammatical  ciniHtructioii  of  which  has  never  been  ascertained,  und  with  the 
idiiiiii  of  which  one  is  totally  unac(|uainted  i*  Among  literate  nations  it  is  a 
rale,  which  has  received  the  sanction  of  prescription,  thut  when  one  would 
write  upon  a  tongue,  it  is  indispensable  tliut  one  should  ({iialify  one's  self  for 
the  task,  by  a  careful  investigation  of  its  )irinei|ilcs.  liut  when  the  language 
(if  barbarians  becomes  the  subject  of  attention,  the  rule  is  reversed,  and,  pro- 
vided u  copious  list  of  numes  be  given,  it  is  not  re(|uired  of  the  collector,  that 
he  should  have  explored  the  sources  whence  they  are  derived:  his  learning 
is  estimated  by  the  uieasuro  of  his  labor,  und  our  appluu.se  is  taxed  in  propor- 
tion to  his  verbosity. 

The  style  of  Wilson  appears  to  bo  well  adapted  to  the  subjects  upon  which 
lie  wrote.  It  is  seldom  feeble,  it  is  sometimes  vigorous,  and  it  is  generally 
neat.  Ho  appears  to  have  "  understood  himself,  and  his  readers  always  under- 
stund  hiiii."  That  he  was  capable  of  graceful  writing,  he  has  given  us,  in  the 
preface  to  his  first  volume,  which  we  here  insert,  a  remarkable  instance ;  which 
is  one  of  the  hai>picst,  and  most  appropriate,  compositions  that  our  literature 
can  boast  of. 

"  The  whole  use  of  a  j)refaco  seems  to  be,  cither  to  elucidate  the  nature  and 
origin  of  the  work,  or  to  invoke  the  clemency  of  the  reader.  Such  observa- 
tions as  iiavc  been  thought  necessary  for  the  former,  will  be  found  in  the  intro- 
duction ;  extremely  solicitous  to  obtain  the  latter,  I  beg  leave  to  relate  the 
following  anecdote. 

"  In  one  of  my  late  visits  to  u  friend's  in  the  country,  I  found  their  young- 
est son,  u  tine  boy  of  eight  or  nine  years  of  age,  who  usually  resides  in  town 
for  his  iMliication,  just  returning  from  a  rumble  through  the  neighboring 
woods  and  fields,  where  he  had  collected  a  large  und  very  handsome  bunch  of 
wild  flowers,  of  a  great  many  different  colors;  and  presenting  them  to  his 
mother,  said,  with  much  aniiiiatiou  in  his  countenance,  '  Look,  my  dear  'ma, 
what  bciutiful  flowers  I  have  found  growing  on  our  place  !     Why  ull  the  woods 


CXXll 


LIFE    OF   WILSON. 


arc  full  of  tliein  !  red,  orange,  blue,  and  most  every  color.  0, 1  can  gather  you 
a  whole  parcel  of  theui,  much  nandsonier  than  these,  all  growing  in  our  own 
woods'  Shall  I,  'uia?  Shall  1  go  and  bring  you  more?'  The  good  woman 
received  the  bunch  of  flowers  with  a  smile  of  affectionate  complacency;  and 
after  admiring  for  some  time  the  beautiful  simplicity  of  nature,  gave  her  wil- 
ling consent;  and  the  little  fellow  went  off,  on  the  wings  of  ecstasy,  to  execute 
his  delightful  commission. 

"  The  similitude  of  this  little  boy's  enthusiasm  to  my  own,  struck  me ;  and 
the  reader  will  need  no  explanations  of  mine  to  make  the  application.  Should 
my  country  receive  with  the  same  gracious  indulgence  the  specimens  which  I 
here  humbly  present  her;  should  she  express  a  desire  foV  me  to  i/n  and  hrimj 
her  mot^',  the  highest  wi.shos  of  my  ambition  will  be  gratified  ;  for,  \a  the  language 
of  my  little  friend,  our  whole  wooih  ore  full  of  fhem  I  and  I  can  collect  hun- 
dreds more,  »h(«7j  humlsonur  than  thrse." 

In  a  work  abounding  with  so  many  excellencies,  it  would  not  bo  difficult  to 
point  out  passages  of  merit,  any  one  of  which  would  give  the  author  a  just 
claim  to  the  title  of  a  describer  of  no  ordinary  powers. 

We  select  the  i'ldlowiug  description,  from  the  history  of  the  Wooil  Thrush  : 
"  At  whatever  time  the  wood  thrush  may  a.-rive,  he  soon  announces  his  presence 
in  the  woods.  With  the  dawn  of  the  succeeding  mcviing.  mounting  to  the 
top  of  some  tall  tree,  that  rises  from  a  low  thick-shaded  part  of  the  woods,  he 
pipes  his  few,  but  clear  and  musical,  notes  in  a  kind  of  ec^fasy;  the  prelude 
or  symphony  to  which  .strongly  resembli.<  the  doublc-tongueing  of  a  German 
flute,  and  sometimes  the  tinkling  of  a  small  bell.  The  whole  song  consists  of 
five  or  six  parts,  the  last  note  of  each  of  which  is  in  such  a  tone,  as  to  leave 
the  conclusion  evidently  suspended;  the  finale  M  finely  managed,  and  with 
such  charming  effect,  an  to  soothe  and  tran(|uilltze  tl  mind,  and  to  seem 
sweeter  and  mellower  it  each  su  cci^sivc  rc|ictiti()n.  l{i\al  songsters,  of  the 
same  species,  challenge  each  other  from  diffcri'iit  part*  of  the  wood,  seeming  to 
vie  for  softer  tones,  ainl  more  es(|uisitc  responses  I>uring  the  burning  heat 
of  the  day  they  are  comparatively  mute;  but  in  the  evening  the  same  melody 
is  renewed,  and  continued  Kuig  after  sunset.  Kvcn  in  dark,  wet  and  gliHunv 
weather,  when  scarce  a  single  chirp  is  heard  from  any  other  bird,  the  clrar 
not«.s  of  the  wood  thrush  thrill  through  the  dropping  woot's,  from  morning  u^ 
night;  and  it  may  truly  be  said  that  the  sadder  the  dav  th<!  sweeter  is  his 
Bong." 

i'erhaps  my  admiration  of  this  passage  may  bo  depeiitlent.  in  some  measure, 
upon  the  association  of  idt-as,  having  been  accustomed  to  trcijuent  the  favoriti; 
haunt^s  uf  tliis  ex<|uisite  musiijuii  which  are  "low  thick-sitaded  hollows, 
th.'-oiijjh  which  a  small  brook  or  rill  meandi-rs,  overhung  with  ald<-r  bushes  tliiit 
arc  mantled  with  vines."  liol  I  lun  truly  declare  that  [  could  iwvcr  read  it 
in  .in  aixlible  voice,  the  iiitensi'iH'xH  of  m^  feelings  alway"  ovi-rpowcriiig  me. 

FIc  :bus  delightfully  Inlrodun^  his  history  ol'  the  |{arn  Swallow:  'There 
are  but  few  persons  in  the  ('iiit<-d  States  uiiaci|UHint«d  with  this  gay,  innocent, 
anil  active  little  bird.  Indeed  the  whole  tribe  are  so  dixiingui.ilieil  t'roin  the 
rest  of  small  birds  by  their  sweeping  rapidity  of  flight,  their  peculiar  aerial 
evulutiuu'  of  wing  over  our  fields  and  rivers,  and  through  our  very  struetM, 


r 


t  ' 


LIFE    OF    WILSON. 


cxxui 


from  morning  to  night,  that  the  light  of  heaven  itself,  the  sky,  the  trees,  or 
any  other  common  objects  of  nature,  are  not  better  known  than  the  swallow^. 
We  welcome  their  first  appearance  with  delight,  as  the  faithful  harbingers  and 
companiuns  of  flowery  spring,  and  ruddy  summer;  and  when,  after  a  long, 
frost-bound  and  boisterous  winter,  we  hear  it  announced  that  the  ^Swallows  are 
come,!'  what  a  train  of  charming  ideas  are  associated  with  the  simple  tidings !" 

The  following  remarks  on  the  current  doctrine  of  the  hybernation  of  Swal- 
lows are  worthy  of  note.  My  object  in  introducing  them  into  this  place  is 
twofold  :  to  exemplify  our  auth')r's  talent  for  copious  and  equable  composition  ; 
and  to  afford  myself  an  opportunity  of  adding  my  feeble  testimony  to  his,  on  a 
subject  which  one  should  suppose  would  have  been  long  ago  definitively  ascer- 
tained. 

"  The  wonderful  activity  displayed  by  these  birds,  forms  a  striking  contrast 
to  the  slow  habits  of  moat  other  animals.  It  may  be  iiiirly  questioned  whether 
among  the  whole  feathered  tribes,  which  Hi'aven  has  formed  to  adorn  this  part 
of  creation,  there  be  any  that,  in  the  siinc  Hpaci;  of  time,  pass  over  an  o.|ual 
extent  of  surface  with  the  Swallow  jjut  a  per.>nin  take  his  stand  on  a  tine 
Humnier  evening,  by  a  ncvz-mown  tieUl,  nuudow  or  river  shore,  for  a  short  time, 
and  among  the  nunicrou.s  individuals  iil'  this  tribe  that  flit  before  him.  fix  his 
eye  on  a  particular  one,  and  follow,  lor  a  while,  all  it.s  circuitous  labyrinths — 
its  extensive  sweeps — its  sudden,  rapidly  reiterated,  zigzag  excursions,  and 
then  attempt,  by  the  powers  of  mathematics,  to  calculate  the  length  of  the  va- 
rious lines  it  describes;  alas!  even  his  ouinipoU'iit  fluxions  would  avail  him 
little  here,  and  he  would  soon  abandon  the  ta.^k  in  despair.  Yet,  that  some 
conception  may  be  ibruied  of  this  extent,  let  us  suppose  that  this  little  bird 
flies,  in  his  usual  way,  at  the  rate  of  one  mile  in  a  niiinite,  which,  from  the 
many  experiments  tln.t  I  have  made,  1  believe  to  be  within  the  truth  ;  and  that 
he* is  so  engaged  for  ten  hours  every  day  ;  and  further,  that  this  active  life  is 
extended  to  ten  years  (uniny  ol"  our  small  birds  being  known  to  live  much 
longer,  even  in  a  state  of  domestic,  tion),  the  annmnt  of  all  these,  allowing 
three  hundred  and  sixty-five  days  to  a  year,  would  give  us  two  millions  one 
hundred  and  ninety  thousand  miles;  upwards  of  eighty-seven  times  the  cir- 
cumferenei?  of  the  globe  I  Vet  this  wiwjvil  seraph,  if  1  may  so  speak,  who,  in 
u  few  days,  and  at  will,  can  pass  fnun  the  borders  of  the  aretie  regions  to  the 
torrid  zone,  ia  forced,  when  winter  approaches,  to  descend  to  ihe  bottoms  of 
lake,'^,  riverK,  and  n:ill-|>onds.  to  bury  if,'«elf  in  the  mud  wilh  eels  and  snapping 
turtles;  or  to  reep  ingloriously  into  a  cavern,  a  rst-hole,  or  a  hollow  tree, 
there  to  doze  with  snakes,  toads,  and  other  reptiles,  uivtil  the  return  of  spriii|f ! 
Is  not  this  true,  yc  n-i»e  un>n  of  Kurope  and  .\inerica,  who  have  published  so 
many  iraliblf.  narratives  upon  this  subject  ? 

••The  geesf,  the  ducks,  the  catbird,  and  even  the  wren,  which  creeps  about 
our  outhouses  in  summer  like  a  nu)usc,  are  all  acknowledged  to  be  migratory, 
and  to  pass  into  sotilluTii  re;;lons  at  the  approaidi  of  wiiit«'r; — the  swhIIow 
alone,  on  whom  IIi-uvi-u  has  conferred  superior  powers  of  wing,  must  sink  into 
torpidity  at  the  bottom  of  our  rivers,  or  doze  all  winter  in  the  cavdrns  of  the 
earth.  I  am  myself  something  of  a  traveller,  and  foreign  countries  afTonl 
many  novel  sights  :  should   1  assert,  that  in  .simie  of  my  peregrinations   I   had 


cxxiy 


LIFE    OF    WILSON. 


met  with  a  nation  of  Indians,  all  of  whom,  old  and  young,  at  the  commento- 
uient  of  cold  weather,  descend  to  the  bottom  of  tht'ir  lakes  and  rivers,  and 
there  remain  until  the  breaking  up  of  frost  j  nay,  should  I  affirm,  that  thou- 
sands of  people  in  the  neigliburhood  of  this  city,  regularly  undergo  the  same 
semi-annual  submersion — that  1  myself  had  fished  up  a  whole  family  of  these 
from  the  bottom  of  the  Schuylkill,  where  thoy  had  lain  torpitl  all  winter,  car- 

ried   them   home,  and   brought  them  all   comfortably  to  themselves  again  • 

should  I  even  publish  t.his  in  tiie  learned  pjiges  i>f  the  Transactions  of  our 
Philosophical  Society,*  whv)  would  believe  me  ?  Is  then  the  organization  of  a 
swallow  less  delicate  than  that  of  a  nmn  '!  Can  a  bird,  whose  vit^il  functn.us 
are  destroyed  by  a  short  privation  of  pure  air,  and  it«  usual  food,  sustain,  for 
six  months,  a  situation  where  the  most  robust  man  would  perish  in  a  few  hours 
or  minutes  ?t  Away  with  sncli  absurdities!  they  are  unworthy  of  a  serious 
refutation.  I  should  be  plciwod  to  meet  with  a  man  who  hat*  been  personally 
more  conversant  with  birds  than  myself,  who  has  followed  them  in  their  wide 
and  devious  routes- -studied  their  various  manners — mingled  with  them,  and 
marked  their  peculiarities  more  than  I  have  done ;  yet  the  miriu/r  of  a  resus- 
cit:*  ■■'  swallow,  in  the  depth  of  winter,  from  the  bottom  of  u  mill-ptind  is  I 
confess,  a  phenomenon  in  ornithology  that  I  haVc  never  met  with." 

The  subject  oi'  the  supposed  torpidity  of  swallows  has  employed  many  writ- 
ers, but  unfortunately  too  few  id"  thase,  whose  practical  knowledge  enabled 
them  to  speak  with  that  certainty,  which  should  always  give  authority  to  writ- 
ings on  natural  history.     Keasoning  li  priori  ought  to  have  taught  mankind  a 


•  Here  there  is  a  palpable  allusion  to  a  \Mfmr  on  the  hybernation  of  swallowR,  which 
was  published  in  the  sixth  volume  of  the  TriinNuctionii  of  the  Ainrriitan  I'liilosophioHl 
Society.  This  paper  was  written  by  one  Krcili-rick  Aiitc.o,  and  wus  ciiiiimuuicaiiil  to  iho 
Society  by  the  iatc  rroli  SMir  Hnrtun.  It  )•«  (<ioImiI>|(!  that  Wilson  had  also  reixl  tjic 
"letter  on  the  retreat  of  housc-swnllowH  in  winter,  from  the  lionurjiMc  Samuel  Dcxa-r 
Esq.,  to  the  llouoraiilc  Juuieii  Uowiloin,  Koj.  ;"  an<l  that  "fruin  thi;  Ucvcrcnil  Mr.  Pack- 
ard to  the  Honorable  Samuel  Dexter,  K»i|.,"  both  of  them  publiiihc*!  in  the  Memoirs  of 
the  Ar.ieriian  Aiadelny  of  Arts  and  Scietieos,  of  Itostnn,  vuli.  I  and  2. 

Such  lonimuniealiori.'f  are  not  laleulaled  to  ilo  honor  lo  any  learned  institution'  and 
they  oiij;ht  lo  l«c  rejeelcil  with  scorn  an<l  reprelieinion. 

f  Carli.'ile,  in  liis  lecture  on  nmieular  motion,  oliserven,  that,  "  animt,U  of  the  class 
Mammalia,  which  hybeniale  and  beco-  ic  torpiil  in  the  winter,  have  at  all  unw-t  a  power 
of  ^ul>si^lin^;  under  a  confined  respiration,  which  woiilil  destroy  other  aniiiiuls  not  liavinir 
this  peculiar  habit.  In  all  ihe  hyU'ruaiin:;  Mnmmaliti  there  is  a  (leiuliar  structure  uf  tlm 
heart  and  its  principal  veins."      Philosophical  TransAciions  for  1805,  p.  17. 

"If  all  birils,  except  swallows,"  »«y»  Keeve,  "arc  able  lo  survi>e  thu  winter,  and  thcv 
alone  are  m  overconio  by  tie  cold  as  to  Iw  rcnden-l  torpid,  the  dilfereiicc  mu-t  be  found 
in  llieir  niialoinicul  structure,  and  in  llicir  habits  ot   lilc. 

"Now,  III  the  tirsl  place,  it  is  certain  thai  lliey  have,  in  oiniiioii  with  other  birils,  the 
three  great  fuuctiuni  of  respiration,  circulation,  and  assiniilalion  :  the  siniilarilv  of  their 
ort-ans,  and  every  ciriuni^laiiec  in  tlicir  nio<le  of  living',  prove  that  they  artt  subject  lo  (he 
Biiinc  laws:  tlicy  hn\e  also  ;i  wry  liiyh  leiiiperaliiK  j  ami  are  peculiarly  ori^auixeil  tor 
rapid  and  lout;  llij;ht.  The  size  of  their  luntjs.  ihe  lii,'btnes«  of  their  Ixmes,  and  the 
buoyamy  o(  their  feathers,  render  it  ahsolutel*  inifiostihle  to  sink  thciii  in  water  without 
a  considerable  weight ;  and  they  die  instantly  for  want  «»  «ir."  Itcovo  on  Torpidity 
p.  43. 


LIFE    OF    WILSON. 


oxxv 


aiore  rntioiinl  opinion,  than  that  which  the  iidvocat«3  of  hybernation  have  un- 
thiiikiiijily  promulgated.  And  it  is  nut  surprising  that  as  experiments  are  so 
easy  to  be  instituted,  they  should  have  been  so  seldom  resorted  t«,  in  order  to 
determine  a  problem  which  many  may  suppose  to  be  intricate,  bat  which,  in 
effi'ct,  is  one  of"  the  simplest,  or  most  easy  to  bo  ascertained,  of  any  in  the 
whole  animal  kingdom.  It  is  a  fact,  that  all  the  experiments  which  have  been 
made,  on  the  subject  of  the  hybernation  of  birds,  have  failed  to  give  counte- 
nance, in  the  most  remote  degree,  to  this  irrational  doctrine. 

IVoni  my  personal  experience,  and  from  my  earliest  youth,  I  have  been  con- 
vcr.^atit  with  the  habits  of  birds,  I  fool  myself  justified  in  asserting,  that,  in 
the  whole  clu.ss  Aces,  there  has  never  been  an  authenticated  instance  known 
of  a  single  individual  capable  of  entering  into  that  peculiar  stat«  denominated 
torpidity.  iJe  it  observed,  that  the  narratives  of  credulous  travellers,  and 
.Kuporficial  observers,  and  newspay>pr  talcs,  on  this  subject,  are  of  no  authority, 
and  muci  be  utterly  rejected.  And  yet  these  are  the  only  sources  whence 
naturalists  have  drawn  their  opinions  on  the  question  of  torpidity.  It  is  to  be 
regretted  that  the  authority  of  LMinreus  himself  sliould  have  given  credit  and 
ciirroncy  to  this  opinion,  and  tlir  more  so  since  his  example  of  sanctioning 
vulgar  narratives  by  his  acquiescence,  without  examination,  has  been  followed 
liv  the  majority  of  writers  on  ornithology,  particularly  those  of  Sweden,  in 
which  country,  if  we  may  place  reliance  on  the  transactions  of  the  Academy 
of  Ilpsal,  the  submersion  of  swallows  is  received  as  an  acknowledged  fact. 

Liiinreus  nowhere  tells  us  that  he  had  ever  seen  a  toipid  swallow;  but  what 
shall  we  .say  of  the  Knglish  translator  of  Kalin's  Travels,  the  learned  John 
Koinhold  Forster,  who  positively  a.s.scrtfl  that  he  himself  had  been  an  eye  wit- 
ness to  tlie  fact  of  swallows  being  fished  up  out  of  the  lake  of  Lybshau,  in 
I'riissia,  in  the  winter,  and  being  restored  to  animation  I  a  circumstance  as 
impo,ssible,  if  wo  are  allowed  to  consider  anatomical  structure  as  having  any 
influence  on  animal  existence,  as  that  a  human  being  could  be  resuscitated 
artcr  such  a  submersion.* 


•  I  nm  unwillinj;  to  ohji'ct  falsrlmoil  lo  this  lU'coiiipliHlictl  traveller,  and  therefore  must 
comliiilo  tluit,  ill  tni'tiiitr  to  tiis  ?ii('mi)tv,  utter  ii  ciiiiKi.i.'iiitili'  liipso  of  liint-,  lie  must  have 
fivi'fi  that  wliicli  lie  hml  rrccivoii  of  iiiiotlitT,  ns  the  result  of  hU  own  cx()oriciicc.  Mcn- 
l;il  liallurinations  of  tlii^  kind  are  not  of  riire  oecurronoc. 

That  persiins  of  the  •ilrictost  veriicity  are  frr<iii(MilI_v  dereivod  liy  nppeiirHnces,  there  cnn 
1m'  no  ilciiiht  ;  Hiid  rlieril'iiir  It  lieeomeH  n  ■ioiiivi'  of  rejiret  when  such  indiviiliuil!*,  in  rec-ord- 
on;  their  reninikn  u|Min  the  plieiioineiin  of  iinliin',  omit  those  ronsiih  rations,  which,  if 
idiserved,  eouM  hardly  fiiil  to  jtuiird  them  from  error.  Hail  our  illustrioin  eimntryman, 
Irnnklin,  when  he  Ihmujht  he  had  succeeded  in  rcsuseitntin;;  a  Hy,  after  it  hnd  lieeii,  for 
several  months,  or  perliiips  years,  enilialmed  in  a  liotlle  of  .Mmleirn  wine,  hut  exei-ei-ed 
tliiit  I'omnioii  "ense,  of  whirh  he  (Hissessed  so  larye  a  share,  and  U'thoiiKht  him  to  irffiti 
ilie  experimeiif,  he  would  have  soon  iliscorered,  that  when  the  vital  juices  of  an  animal 
JH-eome  dei-.imposed  hy  an  arid,  ami  their  plaee  supplied  hy  a  spirilnons  tliiid.  somethini; 
more  than  the  inlluenee  of  solar  heat  wiil  1*  rec|iii.ite  to  reanimate  n  fahric,  wliicli  has, 
in  etVni,  lost  that  upon  whiiii  existence  mainly  depends. 

The  writer  of  this  skeirh  has  made  several  exiieriments  upon  tlies,  with  the  view  of 
nscerlaininu  the  pos«ihili  y  of  their  Wxng,  renuscitated  after  having  h.cn  drowneil  in  .Madeir* 
wine;  hu  in  every  Insta  ice  his  oxiH-ritnents   had  a  clifTeretil  result  from   Dr.  Franklin'*. 


!  i 


'i 


♦   i 


CXXVl 


LIFE    OF    WILSON. 


Dr.  Reeve,  in  treating  of  the  migration  of  birds,  makes  the  following  judicious 
observations  :  "  It  is  singular  that  this  subject  should  still  admit  of  doubt,  when 
it  scorns  so  easy  to  be  decided  ;  yet  every  month  wo  see  queries  and  answers 
about  the  migration  ci" swallows,;  and  every  year  our  curiosity  is  tempted  to  bo 
amused  with  marvellous  histories  of  a  party  of  these  birds  diving  under  water 
in  some  rcmoto  quarter  of  America.  No  species  of  birds,  except  the  swallow, 
the  cuckoo,  and  the  woodcock,  have  been  supposed  to  remain  torpid  during 
the  winter  months.  And  what  is  the  evidence  in  favor  of  so  strange  and 
monstrous  a  supposition  ?  Nothing  but  the  most  vague  testimonies,  and  his- 
tories repugnant  to  reason  and  experience. 

"  Other  birds  arc  admitted  to  raigr»t«,  and  why  should  swallows  be  exempt 
from  the  general  law  of  their  nature  ?  When  food  fails  in  one  quarter  of  the 
world,, their  instinct  prompts  them  to  seek  it  in  another.  We  know,  in  fact,  that 
such  is  their  natural  habit :  wo  have  the  most  unnxcoptionablo  proofs  that 
swallows  do  migrate  ;  they  have  been  seen  at  sea  on  the  rigging  of  ships ;  and 
Adanson,  the  celebrated  naturalist,  i.«  ?aid  to  have  caught  four  European 
swallows  fifty  leagiic.i  from  land,  between  the  coa.*t  of  (Joree  and  Senegal,  in 
the  month  of  October. 

"  Spalhmzani  saw  swallows  in  October  on  the  island  of  Lipari,  and  he  was 
told  that  when  a  warm  iio\ithcrly  breeze  blows  in  winter  they  are  frequently 
seen  skimming  along  the  streets  in  the  city.  He  concludes  that  they  do  not 
pass  into  Africa  at  the  approach  of  winter,  but  remain  in  the  island,  and  issue 
from  their  retreat  on  warm  days  in  (nicst  of  food."* 

The  late  I'mfcssdr  IJarfon  of  Philadelphia,  in  a  letter  to  the  editor  of  the 
Philosophical  Magazine,  thus  commcnt,s  iipi»n  the  first  paragraph  of  the  above 
remarks  of  Dr.  Keeve  :  "  It  appears  somewhat  surprising  to  me,  that  an  author 


He  submerged  them  in  the  wine  for  different  pcriotU,  viz.  six  months,  cifihteen  hours,  six 
hourii,  one  hour  ;  nnil  in  the  Inst  insfniice  they  shnweil  si^ns  of  life  until  ten  ininutes  beforn 
they  'vcre  removed  for  the  iK'nctit  of  the  nir  and  sun.  Of  llirei'  flies  used  in  the  lust  expe- 
riment, only  one  wns  reanimated,  liut  after  b  few  eonvulsive  strnptiles  it  expired. 

Three  flies  were  afterwords  drowned  in  jiure  water  ;  and  after  having  Imm'u  kept  in  that 
8tRtc  for  seventeen  hours,  they  were  exposed  to  the  sun  for  several  hours,  hut  they  j;iivo  no 
sijjns  of  life. 

Upon  a  re|)erusal  of  Franklin's  "Observations  upon  the  Prevailing  Doctrinei  of  Life 
and  Death,"  in  whieh  the  story  of  the  Hies  is  inserted,  it  nppenrs  obvious  to  me,  that  the 
flics  which  ''fell  into  the  tirst  irla^s  that  wms  tilled,"  were  either  nrridentnlly  thrown  into 
it,  or  had  been  in  it  unperceived.  and  on  this  sup|H)sition  a  recovery  from  suspendetl 
finimntion  wouhl  have  noihiu};  in  it  which  tni;;ht  tw  ihouirht  marvellous. 

•  An  Kssay  on  the  Torpidity  of  Animals,  by  lleury  IJet-ve,  .M    I).,  p.  4(t. 

The  author  of  this  narrative,  in  iho  middle  uf  Dercmticr,  1820,  was  nt  Nice,  on  the 
Mediterranenw  ;  and  had  the  ^raliflrntion  of  tHdioJiliti);  lln'  con)iiion  Kuropenn  Swnlbiw 
(Uiruiul:  nislini)  flun^' ibruujilj  the  streets  in  considerable  nnnilKTs.  .M.  l{i«so,  a  well- 
known  nalurnlist,  and  a  resident  of  the  place,  informed  him  that  swallows  remained  there 
all  winter. 

On  the  20th  February,  1818,  bcinR  at  the  mouth  of  the  river  St.  John,  in  Fast  Florida, 
I  observed  several  swallows  of  the  species  viruiit  of  Wilson  ;  and,  on  the  afi'li,  a  flight 
of  them,  consisting;  of  several  hundreds,  coming  from  the  sea.  Tbey  are  the  lirst  which 
reach  us  in  the  spriiiir  from  tii<:  south.  Thoy  ronimonly  arrive  in  I'ennsUvania  m  the 
early  part  uf  March. 


LIFE    OF    WILSON. 


CXXVII 


who  had  so  long  had  tho  subject  of  tho  torpidity  of  animals  under  his  conside- 
ration, should  have  hazarded  the  assertion  contained  in  the  preceding  para- 
graph. Dr.  Keeve  has  certainly  read  of  other  birds  besides  the  swallow,  the 
cuckoo,  and  tho  woodcock,  which  are  said  to  have  been  found  in  a  torpid  state. 
And  ought  he  not  to  have  me'.tioned  these  birds? 

'•  In  my  '  Fragments  of  thu  'Jatural  History  of  Pennsylvania,'  I  have  men- 
tioned the  common  humming- bird  (  Trochilus  rolubriii)  as  one  of  those  American 
birds  which  do  occasionally  become  torpid. 

"  In  regard  to  the  swallows,  I  shall  siiy  but  little  at  present.  I  have,  ut  this 
time,  in  the  press,  a  memoir  on  the  migration  and  torpidity  of  thcee  birds.  / 
am  conjldfiit  (hot  I  ahnll  he  altle  to  loniiiice  every  ciindid  jihtlomipher,  that 
qreat  numhern  of  imnllowt,  nf  d!£ferent  ipecirrt,  do  occaston.ilfi/  pms  into  a  ttate 
of  torpid  it  J/,  more  or  less  profound,  not  merely  'in  some  remote  ruiarter  of 
America,'  but  in  the  vicinity  of  our  ca])itiil  cities,  where  there  are  .some  men 
of  genuine  observation  and  inquiry,  and  who  are  as  little  propense  to  believe 
the  marvellous  in  natural  history,  as  any  philosophers  elsewhere. 

"  I  do  not  suppose  that  all  the  swallows  of  North  America  become  torpid. 
It  is  my  present  opinion,  and  it  was  my  opinion  when  I  published  the  '  Frag- 
ments' in  17!>!),  tliat  the  swallows,  in  general,  are  migratory  birds.  But  sub- 
scNjUent  and  vvri/  e.rtmsirr  inquiries  have  convinced  me,  that  the  instances  of 
torpid  swallows  are  much  more  frequent  than  I  formerly  supposed  they  were; 
and  that  there  are  two  species  of  the  genus  tlinindo,  which  are  peculiarly  dis- 
posed to  pass  tho  brinnal  season  in  llui  cavities  of  rocks,  in  the  hollows  of 
trees,  and  in  other  similar  situations,  whore  they  liave  often  been  found  in  a 
tnporour  state.  These  species  are  the  lllrnndo  riparia,  or  sand  '♦wallow  ;  and 
the  If-  prfiixf/ifi.  which  we  call  chimney  swallow.  There  is  m-i  /net  in  orni- 
thohxji/  he/ler  estaUiahi  d  than  THK  F.VCT  of  the  occasio)i(d  torpidity  of  <»<•««  two 
uprriet  iif  I/irando  !"* 

It  is  not  strange  th.it  the  "  rrry  rj-feitaiie"  inquiries  of  our  l««ar»ird  pr''<s8or 
should  have  had  a  result  so  dift'erent  from  those  of  NViN.mi,  an  ornithologist 
iiilinilcly  hcltiT  qualified  th.in  himself  (o  investigate  a  question  of  this  kind,  by 
his  loal,  his  capacity,  and  his  experi'  m  ,•  Who  th(vse  men  o{  tfenuine  oh§rrHi' 
ti'iu  (Did  ini/iiiry  were,  who  resided  in  the  vicinity  of  our  capital  cities,  ho  did 
not  condescend  to  inform  us;  if  he  h:id  done  so,  wc  should  be  enabled  to  de- 
termine, whether  or  not  they  wore  capacitatcvl  to  givo  an  opinion  on  a  subject, 
which  recpiires  qualifications  of  a  peeuliir  kind. 

At  the  lime  in  whi>li  the  professor  wrote  the  above-cited  letter,  I  know  of 
but  two  naturalists  in  the  I'nitod  States  whose  opinions  ought  to  have  any 
wei-rht  >*»*  *he  (juestion  before  us,  and  these  were  William  Haitranj  and  AIcx- 
»nd\  r  Wilson,  both  of  whoii\  have  recorded  their  ti'stimony.  in  the  most  posl- 
live  manner,  n^ainst  torpidity. 


•  Tillixh'*  Pliilrtiophionl  M..ui<»ine,  vol.  .15,  p.  241. 

"  Nmunili^u,"  «n.vs  Pr.  i.ttrton  in  iiiiuiIkt  pliice,  "  Imvo  not  nlway^  I«'en  pdilonopher*. 
Ttie  itliiiKl  ntiil  «M;iri  ftVtii/  iimniifr  in  which  ihi-y  Imvu  i>xitniiiio<l  nmny  iif  tho  subjects  of 
thfir  pTU'iu'o  ;  tho  creiluliiy  whii'h  Iiiik  ni'itimpiinicil  ttu'in  in  iheir  nxcnreltc*  nftor  truth  ( 
•ml  the  iirffipiliinri/ wilh  whiih  (hri/  Ai!,n  ilir\il,,l  ufwii  »Mi\\i  queftiims  of  imfHirlanre ;  an 
pruols  uf  tliin  iiiiertiun."     Metuuir  concerning  tiie  t'lticliiHtuiK  fnciilty  or  •er|>«nii, 


■ 


li 


(;i 


CXXVIU 


LIFE   OF    WILSON. 


The  "  Memoir  on  the  Migration  iiiid  Torpidity  of  Swallows,"  wherein  Dr. 
Karton  was  confident  ho  should  he  able  to  convince  every  candid  philosopher 
of  the  truth  of  his  hypothesis  concerninp  these  birds,  never  issued  from  the 
press,  although  so  publicly  announced.  And  who  will  venture  to  siiy  that  ho 
did  not,  by  this  suppression,  manifest  his  discretion?  When  Wilson's  volume, 
wherein  the  swallows  are  given,  appeared,  it  is  probable  that  the  autlior  of  the 
"  Fragments"  was  made  sensible  that  he  had  been  writing  upon  subjects  of 
which  he  had  little  personal  knowledge;  and  therefore  he  wisely  relin<|uished 
the^^sk  of  instructing  philosophers,  in  these  matters,  to  those  more  capable 
than  himself  of  such  discussions. 

Naturali.sts  have  not  been  sufficiently  precise  when  they  have  had  oeciision 
to  spo.ik  of  toipi<lity.  They  have  employed  the  term  to  express  that  turpor  or 
numbness,  which  is  induced  by  a  sudden  change  from  heat  to  cold,  such  us  is 
annually  experienced  in  our  climate  in  the  month  of  .>Iarch,  and  which  I're- 
((ucr, tly  affects  swallows  to  so  groat  a  degree  as  to  render  them  incapable  of 
flight.  From  the  number  of  instances  on  record  of  these  birds  having  been 
fonnd  in  this  state,  the  presumption  has  been  that  they  were  capable  of  passing 
into  a  state  of  torpidity,  similar  to  that  of  the  Marmots,  and  other  hybernating 
animals. 

Siiicllie,  though  nn  advocate  for  migration,  yet  admits  that  swallows  may 
b<3como  torpid.  "That  swallows,"  says  he,  "in  the  winter  months,  have 
sometimes,  though  very  rarely,  been  found  in  a  torpid  state,  is  un(|ucstionably 
true.  Mr.  C'ollinson  gives  the  evidence  of  three  gentlemen  whr)  were  eye-wit- 
iiesscH  to  a  number  of  sand-martins  being  drawn  out  I'f  a  cliff  on  the  Ithine, 
in  the  month  of  .^Ian•h,  17t)2."*  (ln(>  slmuld  suppose  that  Smellie  was  too 
good  a  logician  to  infer  that,  because  swallows  hail  been  found  in  the  state  de- 
scribed, they  had  remained  in  thiit  state  ull  winter.  .V  little  more  knowledge 
(if  the  .Kubj'  "t  \vi>ijl.l  h^ve  taught  the  three  gentlemen  cibscrvi'rs,  that  the  pi^or 
swallows  1.  1  1-  -n  driven  to  their  retreat  by  cold  weather,  which  had  surprised 
them  in  their  vernal  migration  ;  an<l  that  tlii.s  st;ite  of  numbness,  falsely  called 
torfuli'y.  if  continued  for  a  few  days,  would  for  ever  have  destroyed  them. 

It  is  i)uw  time  to  resume  tlie  subject  of  Wilson's  Ornithology,  as  the  reader 
will,  probably,  consider  that  we  have  trnnsgre8.''ed  the  limitii  which  our  digres- 
sion re(|uired. 

I>r.  l»rakc.  in  his  observations  ujxin  the  descriptive  abilities  of  the  poet 
liloomficlil,  thus  e-xpres-ses  himself:  "  Milton  hh«1  Thomson  have  both  intro- 
duced the  flight  <if  the  skylark,  the  fii>t  with  hi>«  H«vustonied  spirit  and 
sublimity  ;  but  probably  no  jo'ct  has  surpassi-d.  either  in  fancy  or  expression, 
the  following  priMMj  narrative  of  Dr  tiold.smilh  '  Nothing,'  obiervcs  he, 
'  can  be  more  pleasing  than  to  see  the  l-ark  warbling  upon  the  wing;  raising 
its  note  as  it  soars,  until  it  seems  Wt  in  the  imiucnsc  heights  above  us;  the 
note  e(mtiiiuing,  the  bird  itself  un.«eeB  ;  to  ««v  it  th*o  descending  with  a  swell 
M  it  comes  from  the  clouds,  yet  sinkinfj  by  degre«i  »»  it  »p|>r>.«ohe.'«  its  nest  ; 
the  Bpot  where  all   it-*  iiffeetions  are  centred;  the  spot  thai  Kas  pMiiipt«d  «ll 


*  PhiloDoptiv  iif  NmmpaI  Historv,  olMp.  SO. 


I  11 


LIFE    OF    WILSON. 


cxxix 


(his  joy.'      This  description  of  the  descent  of  the  bird,  and  tlie  pleasuros  of  its 
little  ncBt,  is  conceived  in  a  strain  of  the  nuwt  exquisite  delicacy  and  feeling."* 

I  am  not  diHposed  to  dispute  the  beauty  of  tlio  imagery  of  the  above,  or 
the  delicacy  of  its  exi'rcssion;  but  I  should  wish  the  reader  to  compare  it  with 
Wilson's  description  of  the  Mocking-bird,  unquestionably  the  most  accomplished 
songster  of  tlu3  feathered  race. 

"  The  pluniJige  of  the  Mocking-bird,  though  none  of  the  homeliest,  haa 
nothing  gainiy  or  brilliant  in  it;  and,  liad  he  nothing  else  to  recommend  him, 
would  scarcely  entitle  him  to  notice ;  but  his  figure  is  well  proportioned,  and 
even  handsome.     The  ea.><e,  elegance  and  rapidity  of  his  moveiniMits,  the  anima- 
tion of  his  eye,"}"  and  the  intelligence  he  di.-iplays  in   listening,  and  laying  up 
lessons  from  almost  every  species  of  the  feathered  creation  within  his  hearing, 
are  really  surprising,  and  mark  the  peculiarity  of  his  genius.     To  these  ({ualities 
we  may  add  that  of  a  voice  full,  strong,  and  musical,  anil  capable  of  almost 
every  modulation,  from  the  clear  mellow  tones  of  the  Wood  Thrush,  to  the 
savage  scream  of  the  15ald  Eagle.     In  measure  and  accent  he  faithfully  follows 
his  originals.     In  force  and  sweetness  of  expression  he  greatly  improves  upon 
them.     In  his  native  groves,  mounted  upon  the  top  of  u  tall  bu.sh  or  half-^Towu 
tree,  in  the  dawn  of  dewy  morning,  while  the  woods  are  already  vocal  with  a 
multitude  of  warblers,  his  admirable  song  rises  pre-eminent  over  every  compc- 
titiir.     The  ear  can  listen  to  /tin  music  alone,  to  which  that  of  all  the  others 
seems  a  mure  accompaniment.     Neither  is  this  strain  altogether  imitsitive.     His 
own  native  notes,  which  are  easily  distinguishable  by  such  as  are  well  ac(|uaintcd 
with  those  of  our  various  song  birds,  are  bold  uiul  full,  and  varied  seemingly 
beyond  all  limits.     They  consist  of  short  expressions  of  two,  three,  or  at  the 
most  five  or  !«ix  syllables;  generally  interspersed  with  imitations,  and  all  of 
them  uttered  with  great  emphasis  and  rapidity;  and  oiintinued,  with  undimi- 
nished ardor,  for  half  an  hour,  or  m  hour  at  a  time.      His  expanded  wings  and 
tail,  glistening  with  white,  and  the  buoyant  gayety  of  his  action,  arresting  the 
eye,  as  his  song  most  irresistibly  does  the  ear.      He  sweeps  rouml  with  enthu- 
sia.stic  ec.>-ta.sy — he  mounts  and  descends  as  his  song  swells  or  dies  away  ;  and, 
iiv  my  friend  .''Ir.  liartram  has  beautifully  expressed  it,  •  Ho  bounds  uloft  with 
the  celerity  of  an   arrow,  as  if  to  recover  his  very  soul,  which  expired  in  the 
la.'it  elevated  strain.'     While  thus  exerting  himself,  a  bystander,  destitute  of 
sight,  would  suppose  that  the  whole  feathered  tribes  lu»d  as.sembled  together,  ou 
a  trial  of  skill,  each  striving  to  produce  his  utmost  eflect,  so  perfect  are  his 
imitations.     He  many  times  deceives  the  sportsman,  and  sends  him  in  search 
)f  birds  that  perhaps  are  not  within  miles  of  him  ;  but  whose  notes  ho  exactly 
imitates      Even  birds  themselves  are  fre(iucnfly  imposed  on  by  this  admirable 
mimic,   and  are  decoyed  by    the  fancied  calls  of  their  mates;  or  dive,  with 
precipitation,  into  the  depths  of  thickets,  at  the  scream  of  what  they  suppose 
to  be  the  Sparrow  Hawk. 

"  The  Mocking-bird  loses  little  of  the  power  and  energy  of  his  Pong  by  con- 


•  Dmkw'n  Literary  Iloiir-i,  No.  ,19,  edition  of  1820. 

f  Tin-  ri'BiliT  in  rolVrreil  to  our  iiiitlior's  li;;iirc  of  tliin  biril,  wliii'h   i:*  one  of  the  ino»t 
tpirilcil  (Irswinj;!!  lliat  the  rceiinis  of  niitutal  liislory  onn  proiliice. 
Vol,.  I.-I 


I^' 


1,  ! 


ex. XX 


LIFE    OF    WILSON. 


finemcnt.  In  liis  (loiucHticutod  stato,  when  he  coninipnccs  his  career  of  song, 
it  is  iuipossibie  to  stand  by  unint^irestoil.  He  wliiHtlea  for  the  doj? :  (Passat 
starts  up,  wags  liis  tail,  ami  runs  to  meet  his  master.  lie  squeaks  out  liice  a 
liurt  chicken,  and  the  hon  hurries  about  witii  hanging  wings,  and  bristled 
feathers,  clucking  to  protect  her  injured  brmid.  He  nuis  over  the  quiverings 
of  the  Canary,  and  the  clear  whistlings  of  the  Virginia  Nightingale  or  Ilod- 
liird,  with  such  superior  execution  and  effect,  that  the  mortified  songsters  fool 
their  own  inferiority,  and  bec<une  altogether  silent  j  while  he  seems  to  triunph 
in  their  defeat  by  redoubling  his  exertions. 

''  This  excessive  fondness  fur  variety,  however,  in  the  opinion  of  some 
injures  his  song.  His  elevated  imitations  of  the  Hrown  Thrush  are  frequently 
interruj)ted  by  the  crowing  of  cocks ;  and  the  warblings  of  the  Hlae-bird, 
which  he  cx(|uisilely  manages,  are  mingled  with  the  screaming  of  S'vallows. 
or  the  cackling  of  hens  ;  amidst  the  simple  melody  of  the  llobin  we  are  sud- 
denly surprised  by  the  shrill  reiterations  of  the  \Vliip-p(M)r-will,  while  the  notes 
of  the  Killdcor,  J<luc  .lay.  Martin.  IJaltimore,  and  twenty  others,  succeed,  with 
such  imposing  reality,  that  we  look  round  for  the  originals,  and  discover,  with 
a.sfonishnicnt.  that  the  .sole  performer  in  tiiis  singular  comeit  is  the  admirable 
bird  now  before  us.  During  thi»  exhibition  of  his  powers,  he  spreads  his 
wings,  expands  his  tail,  and  throws  himself  around  tlie  cage  in  all  the  ecsta.sy 
of  enthusiasm,  seeming  n<it  only  to  sing,  but  to  dance,  keeping  time  to  the 
measure  of  his  own  music.  Both  in  his  native  and  domesticated  state,  durinir 
the  solemn  stillness  of  night,  as  soon  as  tlic  moon  rises  in  .silent  majesty,  lie 
begins  his  delightful  solo;  and  scrcnadrs  us  with  n.  full  display  of  his  vocal 
powers,  making  the  whole  neighborhood  ring  witli  )iis  inimitable  medley." 

I  will  give  but  one  t'X!;mple  more  of  our  author's  descriptive  powers,  and 
that  will  be  found  in  his  history  of  tlie  liald  Kaglc.  .\s  a  specimen  of  nervous 
writing,  it  is  excellent;  in  its  imagery,  it  is  unsurpa.ssed ;  and  in  the  accuracy 
of  it**  detail,  it  transcends  all  praise. 

"This  distingui.-hed  bird,  as  he  is  the  most  beautiful  of  his  tribe  in  this 
part  of  the  wnrld.  and  the  adopted  niiUni>  of  our  country,  is  entitled  to  par- 
ticular notice.  He  has  been  long  known  to  naturalists,  being  common  to  both 
continents,  and  ucoa.'«i<inally  niot  with  Irnm  a  very  high  iinrtluTii  latitude,  to  the 
borders  id'  the  torrid  zone,  but  cbietty  in  the  vicinity  of  the  sea,  and  along 
the  shores  and  cliffs  of  our  lakes  and  large  rivers.  Formed  by  iiature  for 
braving  the  severest  cold  ;  fceiling  equally  on  the  produce  of  the  sea,  and  td' 
the  land;  possessing  powers  of  flight  ea|iable  of  outstripping  even  the  tempests 
themselves;  unawed  by  anything  but  man  ;  and  from  the  ethereal  heights  to 
which  he  soars,  looking  abroad,  at  one  gl.ince,  on  an  immeasurable  expanse  <d' 
fon-stj'.  fields,  lakes,  and  ocean,  deep  bclov  him;  he  appears  indifferent  to  the 
little  localities  of  change  of  scasuns;  hh  in  ^  few  minut<^s  be  can  pa.ss  from 
summer  to  winter,  fmm  tlic  Inw.r  fi>  the  higher  regions  of  the  atmosphere,  the 
abode  of  eternal  cuM  ;  and  llu'occ  descend  at  will  to  the  turrid  or  the  arctic 
regions  of  the  earth.  He  is  therelore  lound  at  all  seasons  in  the  countries 
which  he  inlialiits ;  but  prefers  such  places  a»  have  been  mentioned  above, 
from  the  great  partiality  he  has  for  twh. 

"  III  prtieuriiig  iliese,  be  displays,  in  a  very  singular  manner,  the  genius  and 


LIFE    OF    WILSON. 


CXXXl 


t-ner^y  of  hid  character,  which  in  fierce,  ooiitemphitive,  daring  and  tyrannical: 
uttributua  not  exerted  but  on  particular  occasions  ;  but,  when  put  forth,  over- 
powering uli  opposition.  Eievuted  upon  a  high  dead  limb  of  Home  gigantic 
tree,  that  conmuinds  a  wide  view  of  tlie  neighboring  shore  and  ocean,  he  necma 
calmly  to  contemplate  the  motions  of  the  various  feathered  tribcH  that  pursue 
tlii'ir  busy  avocations  below:  the  Hnow-wliito  (iulls  slowly  winnowing  tlio  air; 
the  busy  Tringas  coursing  along  the  hmhU  ;  trains  of  Ducks  streaming  over  the 
surface ;  silent  and  watchful  ('ranca,  intent  and  wading ;  clamorous  Crows,  and 
all  the  winged  multitudes  that  subsist  by  the  bounty  of  this  vast  li(|uid  maga- 
zine of  nature.  High  over  all  these  hovors  one,  whose  action  instantly  arrcstj. 
all  his  attention,  liy  his  wide  curvature  of  wing,  and  sudden  suspension  in 
air,  ho  knows  him  to  be  the  Finh-hawk  settling  over  some  devoted  victim  of 
the  deep,  ilis  eye  kindles  at  the  sight,  and  balancing  himself,  with  half- 
opened  wings,  on  the  branch,  he  watcdies  the  result.  Down,  rapid  as  an  arrow 
from  heaven,  descends  the  distant  object  of  his  attention,  the  roar  of  its  winga 
reaching  the  car  as  it  difiai)pc!irs  in  the  deep,  inaking  the  surges  foam  around. 
At  this  nioincnt  the  looks  of  the  Eagle  are  all  ardor;  and  levelling  his  neck 
for  flight,  lie  sees  the  Fish-hawk  emerge,  struggling  with  his  prey,  and  mount- 
ing into  the  air  with  screams  of  exultation.  These  are  the  signal  for  our  hero, 
who.  launching  into  the  air,  instantly  gives  chasi;,  soon  gains  on  the  Fish- 
hawk,  each  exerts  his  utmost  to  mount  above  the  other,  displaying  in  these 
rencontres  the  most  elegant  and  sublime  aerial  evolutions.  The  unencumbered 
Kagle  rapidly  advances,  and  is  just  on  the  point  of  reaching  his  opp(uicnt.  when 
with  a  sudden  scream,  jirobably  of  despair  and  honest  execration,  the  latter 
drops  hia  fish;  the  Kaglo  poising  himself  for  a  moment,  as  if  to  take  a  more 
certain  aim,  descends  like  a  whirlwind,  snatches  it  in  his  ;,'rasp  ere  it  reaches 
the  water,  and  bears  his  ill-gotten  booty  silently  away  to  the  woods." 

Perhaps  there  is  no  similar  work  extant  which  can  so  justly  lay  claim  to  the 
merit  of  originality  as  Wilson's  Ornithology.  In  books  on  natural  history,  fn 
general,  we  rarely  nii'et  with  much  that  is  new;  and  it  is  not  unusual  to  behold 
labored  performances,  which  are  umlistinguished  by  any  fact,  which  might 
j)rove  that  their  authors  are  entitled  to  any  other  praise  than  that  of  diligent 
cont|)il<'rs.  Hut  in  the  work  before  u.s,  we  arc  prisented  with  a  fund  of  in- 
formation of  so  uncommon  a  kind,  so  variou.s,  and  so  interesting,  that  we  are 
at  no  loss  to  perceive  that  the  whole  is  the  result  of  personal  appli<-ation, 
directed  to  the  only  Icgitiniate  source  (»f  knowledge — Nature,  not  as  she  ap- 
pears in  the  cabinet  of  the  collector,  but  as  she  reveals  herself  in  all  the  grace 
and  loveliness  of  aninnited  existence. 

Independent  of  those  plea.sing  descriptions,  which  will  always  insure  the 
work  a  favorable  reception,  it  has  higher  claims  to  our  regard,  by  the  philo- 
>opliical  view  which  it  takes  of  those  birds  which  mankind  had,  with  one  coii- 
.'•ent,  proscribed  oa  noxious,  but  which  mtw  wo  are  induced  to  consider  as  aux- 
iliaries in  agriculture,  whose  labors  could  not  be  dispensed  with  without  ilctii- 
nicnl.  A  vagrant  chicken,  now  and  then,  may  well  be  sparecl  to  the  hawk  or 
owl  who  dears  our  ticlds  of  swarms  of  destructive  mice;  the  woodpecker, 
whose  tasti'  induces  liiin  to  apprnpiialc  to  himself  the  hist  ripe  apple  or  cherry, 
has  well  earned  the  dcliiacy,  by  the  myriads  of  pe>tiltntial  worms  of  which  he 


N 


■«■       -i^ 


M 


i  I 


I 


CXXXll 


LIFE    OF    WILSON. 


has  rid  our  orchnrdw,  uiul  whoso  rnvnges,  if  not  i-ounteractod,  would  noon  de- 
prive us  of  all  fruit ;  if  the  crow  and  tho  blackbird  bo  not  too  greedy,  wo  nmy 
surely  sparo  thoni  u  part  of  what  thoy  have  preserved  to  ux,  since  it  is  quos- 
tionablo,  if  their  fondness  for  fjrulis  ur  cut-worms  did  not  induce  them  to 
destroy  those  enemies  of  tho  maize,  whether  or  not  a  single  stalk  of  this  ines- 
timable corn  would  be  allowed  to  ^'rtot  the  view  of  the  American  farmer. 

The  beauties  of  this  work  are  so  transcendent,  that  its  faults,  which  arc,  in 
truth,  mere  peccadillos,  are  hardly  perceptible;  they  may  bo  corrected  by  one 
of  ordinary  application,  who  needs  not  invoke  to  his  aid  either  much  Icarnin^r 
or  much  intellif^enco.  A  book  superior  in  its  (ypo^raphicii!  execution,  and 
graphical  illustrations,  it  would  be  no  difficult  matter  to  produce,  since  the  in- 
genuity of  man  has  advanced  thu  fine  arts  to  a  state  of  perfection,  sufficient  to 
frratify  tho  most  fastidious  choice;  but  who  could  rival  k  in  those  essentials 
which  distinguish  it  from  all  (yfhcr  similar  undeit;iiuiigs,  and  which  constitute 
it  one  of  the  most  valuable  offerings  to  natural  science  which  taste  and  genius 
has  ever  produced  ?  .^ 


1(1  I 


m 


ff   • 


CATALOGUE 


NORTH   AMERICAN  BIRDS. 

Br  Prof.  SPKNCKR  F.  BAIRD, 

of  the  .Mmlthiionlaii  tmtitutlon. 


Thb  following  "  CiitnloKiio  of  North  American  Birds"  hns  been  reprinted  from  th« 
octavo  edition  issued  by  the  Sniitli.soninn  Institution,  in  October,  1858.  It  was  originally 
putilislicd  in  (|imrt(>,  forming  a  portion  of  the  report  on  North  American  liirds,  in  vol.  it. 
of  the  Keports  of  the  I'licitic  Uiiilroiid  Survey,  its  ri'imlilication  in  8vo.  hiiil  for  itH  object 
to  fucilitntc  the  labelling  of  the  specimens  of  birds  nnil  e^jgs  in  the  Museum  of  the  Institu- 
ti(m  ;  we  reprint  it,  as  it  serves  most  admirably  the  purposes  of  a  check  list  of  the  speeioa 
of  American  Birds. 


1.  Catharle.i  Aura.     UliR. 

'I'llHKKV    15l'/7.ARD. 

2.  Calharles  Califiiinianna.     Cuv. 

California  Vui.turk. 

3.  Cathartts  Alraliia.     Lchhoh. 

IJl.ACK    Vin.TUKB. 

4.  Cathartrs  lim  loviauiis.    CasHin. 

MkXICAN    Vl'l.TURE. 

5.  Fatcd  Auntiiiii.      Boniip. 

Duck  Hawk. 
(t.  Fairo  Xi(/rireps.     ("iissin. 
Bi.AiK  (Jai'i-ki)  Hawk. 

7.  Iliipalriii        .«  Columhariiis.     Gray. 

I'l  .»i>N  Hawk. 

8.  lli/polriorrhin  Ainaiiliux.     Knup. 

ORANIiEUHEASTKD   HaW'K. 

'J.  Ili/piilriiirc/ii.1  FfiiKiralis.     (Jrny. 

AlM.nHAUO, 

10.  Falco  I'dli/aijrii!!.     CasHin. 

I'rairik  Falcon. 

11.  Ftiico  Candiraux.     (iinelin. 

Jer  Falcon. 

12.  Falco  Islanilintn.     Subino. 

Jer  Falcon. 
11     Titinuiiruliis  Spinrcriiis.     Vieill. 

iS-i'AKKow  Hawk. 
1 1.   Antur  Atitiiipitlii.n.     Bonap. 

(iisllAWK. 
l.'i.     Accipiln-  ('imperii.     Bonap, 

Cooi'ek's  Hawk. 
1(5.  Accipiler  Mfxicanun.     Swnins. 

llr.tT.-RACKKD  Hawk. 
17.  Acci/iiter  Fii.irnn.     Bnnttp. 
Siiari'siiinneu  Hawk. 


18.  liuteo  Sipainsnni.     Bonap. 

Swainsmn's  Hawk. 

19.  Duleo  lidirJii.     Hoy. 

Baiku's  Hawk. 

20.  Buleo  Caliirui.     CaHHJn. 

Ulack  Hei)-tail. 
1;       fiuteo  InsiijiintuH.    ('ussin. 
ISrown  Hawk. 

22.  liuteo  Ihrlani.     Bonup.  ■  ■. 

Harlan's  Hawk. 

23.  Bitteo  B',re<ili.i      Vieill. 

Keu-tailed  Hawk. 

24.  nuleo  MiinUinun.     Nuti<-'i'. 

Wkmtbrn   Keu-tai 
2.').   fiutro  I Mteatus.     .hirdine. 

UkI>'8IIOI'LDI!RKO   Hawk 

lii'f'o  F.leijaus.     < 'u.-t-iin. 

Keii-hellieo  Hawk. 
liuteo  l'enn.'<ylranii-us.     Bonap. 
Broau-winueu  Hawk. 

28.  liuteo  Oiijpterus.     ('».•<•  n. 

SlIAKr-WINIiKD  Hahk. 

29.  Buleo  Coojifri.     Cassin. 

(California  Hawk. 

30.  Archiltuleo  l.wiopuf.     (5ray. 

Uuciiii-LK(;(iKn  Hawk. 

31.  Arrhibuttii  Stmrli-Johnunts.     Gray. 

Black  Hawk. 

32.  Archibvi-.    Fi-rujiiiintii.     Gray, 

t^y.  !Kii>'i,  Hawk. 

33.  Afturixn  Nii'Ufi.     Bonap. 

M«xi  AN  Hawk. 

34.  Naurlern.^  Finralu.i.     Vigors. 

Svallum-tailed  Hawk. 

(i) 


20. 

27. 


'^  '.; 


t>. 


«►. 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


/ 


O 


t    ^<S 


V  w^.. 


1.0    t 


I.I 


1.25 


t  m  

!!:  U£   III  2.0 


12.2 


1.4 


1.6 


Photographic 

Sciences 
Coiporation 


S 


V 


^^ 


o 


'% 


V 


<& 


6^ 


% 


v^ 


#»' 


<*. 


23  Wr>;  W  ,N  SiftEET 

WESSTER.N.V.  14580 

(7)6)  872-4503 


.^ 


^ 


II 


CATALOGUE   OF   NORTH   AMERICAN   BIRDS. 


3b.  Elanu*  Leueurus.     Bonap. 
Whitb-taii.ed  Hawk. 

36.  letinia  Mhsissippiciisia.    Gray. 

Mississippi  Kite. 

37.  Rostrhamus  Socir  -i7w.    D'Orb. 

Black  Kite. 

38.  Cfireus  Hudaitnius.     Vieillot. 

Marsh  Hawk. 

39.  Aquila  Canadennis.     Cassin. 
Gulden  Eaqlb;  Ring-tailed  Eaqle. 

40.  Haliaetus  Pdagictia.     Siebold. 

Northern  Sea  E\qlb. 

41.  Holiaetu.t  Washingtnnii.     Jard. 

Washington  Eagle. 

42.  Haliaetua  AlbicUla.     Cuvier. 

Gray  Sea  Eagle. 

43.  Haliaetus  Lmcoeephalus.     Savigny. 

Bald  Eagle. 

44.  Pandion  Carnlinaisis.    Bonap. 

Fish  Hawk. 

45.  Polyhorua  Tharus.     Cassin. 

Caracara  Eagle. 
4fl.   Oraxirex  Uuicincliis.     Cassin. 
Harris'  Buzzard. 

47.  Strix  lyatinrola.     Bonap. 

Barn  Owl. 

48.  Bubo  Virgininnus.     Bonap. 

Great  Horned  Owl. 

49.  Scops  Asia.     Bonup. 

Mottled  Owl. 
.50.  Seopx  Mc.CaUii.     Cassin. 

Western  Mottled  Owu 
5J.   Olu.i  Wihimianus.     Lesson. 

Lovo-Eared  Owl. 
52.  Brachyotns  Casniiiii.     Brewer. 

Short-Eared  Owl. 
.53.   Syrnium  Cinercnm.     Aud. 

Great  Gray  Owl. 
54.   8yrnium  Nehulosum.     Gray. 

Barred  Owl. 
65.   Nyctale  Richard sanii.     Bonap. 

Sparrow  Owl. 
5fi.  Nyctale  Alhifmns.     Cassin. 

Kirtland's  Owl. 
67.   Nyctale  Acadira.     Bonap. 
Saw-whet  Owl. 

58.  Athene  Hypugaea.    Bonap, 

I'RAiRiB  Owl. 

59.  Athene  Cunindaria.     Bonap, 

Burrowing  Owl. 
f)0.    Olaucidium  Gnmna.     Cassin. 

PiaMV  Owl. 
fil.   Nyctea  Nivea.     Gray. 
Snowy  Owl. 

62.  Sumia  Vlula.    Bonap. 

Hawk  Owl. 

63.  Conwnu  OaroUnensin.     Kulil. 

Parakeet. 

64.  Rhynehopxitta  Parhyrhynchn.  Bonap. 

Tiii(Kni[.i.F.i>  I'arrot. 


65.  Trogon  Mexicanua.     Swainson. 

Mexican  Trooon. 

66.  Crotophaga  Rugirostris.    Swainson, 

Black  Parrot. 

67.  Crotophaga  Ani.     Linn, 

An». 

68.  Geococcyx  Californianua.     Baird. 

Paisano;  Chaparral  Cock. 

69.  Cocrygus  Amerinaniis.     Bonap. 

Yellow-billed  Cuckoo. 

70.  Coccygxis  Erythrophthalmua,  Bonap. 

Bi.ACK-Bit.LED  Cuckoo. 

71.  Coccygu.i  Minor.     Cnb. 

Mangrove  Cuckoo, 

72.  Campephilus  Principalia.    Gray. 

IvoRY-BiLi.ED  Woodpecker. 

73.  Campephilus  Imperiitlia.    Gray. 

Imperial  Woodpecker, 

74.  Picua  Villosus.     Linn. 

1L\IRY  Woodpecker. 

75.  Picua  Harrisii.     Aud. 

Harris'  Woodpecker. 

76.  Picua  Pitbesceiis.     Linn. 

Downy  Woodpecker. 

77.  Picus  Gairdneri.     Aud. 

Gairdner's  Woodpecker. 

78.  Picua  NuttaUi.    Gambel. 

Nuttall's  Woodpecker. 

79.  Picus  Scalaris.     Wagler. 

Texas  Sapsucker. 

80.  Picua  Riireali.1,     Vieiil. 

Ked-Cockaded  Woodpecker. 
8L  Picu.t  Alhtdarvatua.     Baird. 

WniTE-IIKADED  WOODPECKER, 

82.  Picnides  Arrticus,     Gray, 

Three-toed  Woodpecker, 

83.  Picoidfs  Ilirautua.     fJray. 
Banded  three-toed  Woodpecker, 

8-1.  JHcoidea  Domalis.     Buird. 

Striped  three-toed  Woodpecker, 

85.  Sphyropinia  Variua.     Bnird. 

Yellow-bellied  Woodpecker. 

86.  Sp/iyropicua  Kiirhalia.     Baird. 

Keu-tiiroateu  Woodpecker, 

87.  Spliyropicua  linher.     Baird. 

ItED-BREASTED  WoODPECKER. 

88.  Sphyiopinia  WiUiamsoiiii.     Baird, 

Williamson's  Woodpecker. 

89.  Sphyropicua  Thymideus.     Itaird. 

Brown-headed  Woodpecker. 

90.  Ilylotomua  Pileatua.     Baird. 

Black  Whodpecker. 

91.  Centurua  Carolinua.     Bonnp. 

Hrd-uei.lied  Woodpecker. 

92.  Cmturua  Flnviventria.     Swains, 

Yellow-bellieu  Woodpecker. 
9.1.    Centurua  I'ropygiidia.      Baird. 

Gila  Woodpecker. 

94.  Mfltinerpra  F.rythmrcphabia.  Swains 

J(ed-headeu  Woodpeckbr, 


CATALOGUE  OF   NORTH   AMERICAN   BIRDS. 


Ill 


95.  ifelanerpen  Formicivorus.    Bonap. 

California  Woodpecker. 

96.  Melanrrpea  Turqiiaivs.    Bonnp. 

Lewis's  Woodpecker. 

97.  Colaplea  Auratus.     Swains. 

Yellomt-siiafted  Flicker. 

98.  Colaptes  Mexicamis,    Swaina. 

Hed-siiafted  Flicker. 
98a.  Colaptes  Hyhridus.     Baird. 
llvBRiD  Woodpecker. 

99.  Colaptes  Chrysoides,     Baird. 

100.  Lampornis  Mango.     Swains. 

Manqo  Uumhino  Bird. 

101.  T)-ochilus  Cnlubris.     Linn. 

IIuMuiNQ  Bird. 

102.  Trochilus  Alcxandri.  Bnuro.  &  Mul. 
Black-chinned  ll>;;iw:."n  'iiKD. 

103.  Selasphorvs  linfua.     Swains. 

KuFoua  IIuMHiNo  Bird. 

104.  Selanphorua  Plali/cerua.     Gould. 
Broad-tailed  Hummino  Bird. 

105.  Atthia  Anna,     ilciubenb. 

Anna  Huhhino  Bird. 

106.  Althis  Coslae.     Reichenb. 

Ruffed  IIuhhino  Bird. 
Patiyptila  Milanoleura.     Baird. 

Wiiitb-tiiroated  Swift. 
Neplioecetes  Niger.     Baird. 

Black  Swift. 
Chaelura  Pelasgia.     Stcph. 

CiiiMNEr  Swallow. 
Chaelura  vauxii.     Do  Kay. 

Oregon  Swift. 
Antrnslonius  Carolinen.iis.    Gould. 

Chuck  will's- widow. 
Arilroslomus  Vonfhus,     Bonap. 
Wniri'ooR-wiLL. 

113.  Aniidx  iimus  Nullalli.     Caesin. 

Poor-will. 

114.  Chordeiles  Pcpetue.     Baird. 

NiiiiiT  Hawk. 

115.  Chordnle..i  I/enn/i      Cassin. 

Western  Nioiit  Hawk. 

116.  Chordeiles  Tixensis.     Lawrence. 

Texas  Nioiit  Hawk. 
116a.  Nyclidiomu.<t. 

1'auraqiIB.  ' 

117.  Ceryle  Aln/on.     Boie. 

Belted  Kinofisher.     ' 

118.  Ce\ijle  Americana.     Boic. 

Texas  Kino-fihiier. 

119.  Motrnitua  Caeruliceps.    Gould. 

Saw-iull. 

120.  Pachyrhamphns  Aglaiae.    Lafrcsn. 

Rose-throated  Klycatchbr. 

121.  liathmidurus  Major.     Cab. 

THlrK'DILL. 

122.  MilvuUis  Tijrannus.    Bonap. 

Fork-tailed  Flycatcher. 


107. 
108. 
109. 
110. 
111. 
112. 


123.  Milvulus  Forficatus.     Swaina. 

Scissor-tail. 

124.  Tyrannus  Carolinensis.     Baird. 

Kino  Bird;  Bee  Bird. 

125.  Tyrannus  Dominicenais,    Rioh. 

Gray  Kino  Bird. 

126.  Tyrannus  Verlicalia.     Say. 

Arkansas  Flycatcher. 

127.  Tyrannua  Voci/ei-am.     Swains. 

Cassin's  Flycatcher. 

128.  Tyrannua  Cowhii.     Baird. 

Couch's  Flycatcher. 

129.  Tyrannua  Melancholicus.     Vieili. 

Silent  Flycatcher. 

130.  Myiarchus  Crinilua.     Cub. 

Great  Crested  Flycatcher. 

131.  Myiarchus  Mcxiranus.     Baird. 

Astt-THROATED  FLYCATCHER. 

132.  Myiarchus  Cooperi.     Baird. 

Mexican  Flycatcher. 

133.  Myiarchus  Laiorencii.     Baird. 

Lawrence's  Flycatcher. 

134.  Sayornis  Kigricaiia.     Bonap. 

Black  Fiycatciier. 

135.  Sayormis  Fkscii.i.     Uaird. 

Pewee. 

136.  Sayornis  Sama.     I'aird. 

Say's  Flycatcher. 

137.  Contopur  Jiorealis.     Baird. 

Olive-sided  Flycatcher. 

138.  Contopus  Itichardsonii.     Baird. 

Suurt-legoed  Feweb. 

139.  Contopus  Virens.     CaB. 

Wood  Pewee- 

140.  Empidonax  TraiUii.     Baird. 

Traill's  Flycatcher. 

141.  Empidonax  Pusillua.     Cab. 

Little  Flycatcher. 

142.  Empidonax  Minimus.     Baird. 

Least  Flycatcher. 

143.  Empidonax  Aradicu.i.     Baird. 

(Jree.v-crested  Flycatcher. 

144.  Empidonax  F/avirenlria      Baird. 
Yelluw-uellied  Flycatcher. 

144a.  Empidonax  Difficilia.     Baird. 
Western  Flycatcher. 

145.  Empidonax  Ilammoiidii.     Baird. 

IIahmond's  Flycatcher. 

146.  Empidonax  Ohacurua.     Baird. 

Wright's  Flycatcher. 

147.  Fyrocephalns  Pubineua,     Gray. 

Red  Flycatcher. 

148.  Tardus  Mustdinus.     Gm. 

Wood  Thrush. 

149.  Tardus  Pallasi.     Cab. 

Hermit  Thrush. 
149a.  Turdua  Si  lens.     Swains. 
Silent  Thrush. 

150.  Ihird'us  Nanus.     Aud. 

Dwarf  Thrush. 


IV 


CATALOaUB   OF   NORTH   AMERICAN   BIRDS. 


„    t^ 


151.  Turdus  Funracens,     Stephens. 

Wilson's  TiiRuan, 

152.  Turdus  Ihtidaiwi.     Ntittall. 

Orroon  TiiKusa. 

153.  TkirduH  Swainnnnii.     Cab. 

Oi.ivRiiACKRD  Thrush. 

154.  Ttirdus  Alirim.     Biiird. 

Grav-chrrkrd  TuKusn. 

155.  Thtrdua  Migrntorius.     Linn. 

lloniN, 

156.  Tardus  Naenins.    Qmolin. 

Varibd  Thrush. 

157.  Saxicola  (Knanlhf.     Bochst. 

Stonr  Chat. 

158.  Sialia  SiaUs.     Biiird.     .'•' 

Bi.ur  Bird. 

159.  Sialia  hfcxiraiia.    Swains. 

Ws.STERN    Bl.UR  BiRU. 

160.  Sialia  Arrtiia.     Swiiiiis. 
Rocky  Mountain  lii.ue  Bird. 

161.  RegnluH  Cnlendnla.     Linlit. 

HUBV-CKOWNKD  WrRN. 

1C2.  RegnluH  Sn/rapa.     Li^lit. 

(Jill.DEN-t'RESTKD  WbKN. 

1G3.  RegtiluK  ('tivicri.     And. 

CuVIRIt'.S  (iol.DKN  (/KRST. 

164.  Ui/drohnia  Mexicana.     Baird. 

Watbii  Ouzri.. 

165.  Anthva  iMdmnnanua.     Light. 

Tit-i.ahk. 

166.  Neocnn/zi  Siirngiieii.     Solator. 

Missouri  Hkyi.ahk. 

167.  Mniiililta  Variii.     Vieill. 

Bi.ACK  and  White  Crrri-rr. 
Ifi7n.  Vnr.  Mninlilta  hitif/irontris.  Baird. 

liONO-lllM.KI)  (^keeper. 

168.  Paruhi  Amerintna.     Bonap. 

Blue  Yellow  Back. 

169.  I\ol»unlan'a  ('ilrra.     Baird. 
Prothusotary  W  a  ruler. 

170.  Geothh/pin  Trirhas.     Cob. 

Maryland  Yellhw-tiiroat. 

171.  GeotU;/pi.i  VHahm.     (.\ib. 

Gray-headed  Wariii.kr. 

172.  Geotliliipis  rhihuMphia.    Baird. 

MoUHNINO  WaRIILKR. 

173.  Gciilhh/piii  Afargillivrari/i.     Baird. 

Macoili.ivray'h  Waiiuleh. 

174.  Opnrnrnis  Agilin.     Baird. 

Connecticut  Waruler. 

175.  Oj)or(irniii  For  mo  nun.     Baird. 

Kentucky  Wardleh, 
170.   Id  frill  Viridis.     Bonap. 

Yellow-iirra.hted  Chat. 

177.  Icteria  lAmijicauda.     Lawr. 

I<oNi]-TAii.Ei)  ('hat. 

178.  IhJmitherus  Vfrmivnrun.    Bonap. 

Worm-eatino  Warhlik. 

179.  Hclmilherun  Swainiionii.     Bonnp. 

Swainson's  Wardlrr. 


180.  Helminthophaga  Pimis.     Baird. 
Blue-winoed  Yellow  Warbler. 

181.  Helminthophaga  Chrysoptera.    Bon. 

GomEN-WINGED  WaRHLER. 

182.  Helminthophaga  Hachmani.     Cab. 

Bacuman's  Waruler. 

183.  Helminthophaga  liujirapilla.    Bon. 

Nashville  Warbler. 

183a.  Helminthophaga  Virginiae.  Baird. 

Mountain  Warbler. 

184.  Helminthophaga  Celata.     Baird. 

Orange-crowned  Warbler. 

185.  Helminthophaga  I'eregrina.     Cab. 

Tennes.see  Warbler. 

186.  Seiwus  Aurocapillus.     Swains. 

GoLDEN-CnOWNED  ThRUSH. 

187.  Seiurus  Noveborar.enxia.     Nutt. 

Water  Thrush. 

188.  Seiurus  Lu dor ici anus.     Bonap. 
Large-billed  Water  Thrush. 

189.  Dendroica  Virens.     Baird. 
Black-Throated  Green  Warbler. 

190.  Dendroira  (hcidentalis.     Baird. 

Western  Warbler. 

191.  Dendioira  Townsendii.    Baird. 

Townsend's  Warbler. 

192.  Dendroira  Aiipescens.     Baird. 
Black-throated  Gray  Warbler. 

193.  Dendroica  Canadensis.     Baird. 
Black-throated  Blue  Warbler. 

194.  Dendroica  Coronatn.     (iray. 

Yellow-rumi'  Warbler. 
Dendroica  Audnbonii,     Biiird. 

Audubon's  Warbler. 
Dendroica  lilnckliuruiae.     Biiird. 

Bl.ACKBUHNIAN  WaRBLER. 

197.  Dendroica  Caslanea,     Baird. 
Bay-breastei)  Wahblkr. 
Dendroica  I'inus.     Biiird. 

PlNK-CREEt'lNO   WaRBLER. 

Dendroira  Montana.     Buivd. 
Blue  Mountain  Warbler. 
2(M).   Dendroica  J'enn.^i/lvanicd.     Baird. 

CllKSTNUTSID|..D  WaRBLER. 

201.  Denitroira  Cnernlea.     Baird. 

Bn'K  Wakbi.er. 

202.  Dendroira  Slriata.     Hainl. 

Black-I'oi.i.  Warbler. 

203.  Dendroica  Atslira.     Baird. 

Yellow  Warbler. 

204.  Dendroica  Maculosa.     Baird. 
Bl/ck  and  Yellow  Warbler. 

205.  Demlroira  Kir/landii.     Baird. 

KiHTLANu's  Warbler. 

206.  Dendroica  Tigrina.     Baird. 

Cape  May  Warbler. 

207.  Dendroica  Carbonata.     Baird. 

Carbonated  Warbler. 

208.  Dendroica  I'almarum.     Baird. 

Yellow  11ed-Foj.l. 


195. 
196. 


198. 
199. 


CATALOGUE   OF   NORTH   AMERICAN    BIRDS. 


209.  Dendrnica  Superciliosa.     Baird. 
Yellow-tiiriiated  Warbler. 

210.  Dendroica  Dincnlor.     Baird. 

Prairie  Warbi.er. 

211.  Myiodioctfs  Af Hiatus.     Aud. 

Hooded  Waruler. 

212.  Myiodioctes  Mimitus.     Baird. 

Shali,-ueaded  Flycatcher. 

213.  Myiodidctes  Pusilhis.     Bonap. 
Green  Black-cap  Flycatcher. 

214.  Myiodioctes  Canadensis.     Aud. 

Canada  Flycatcher. 

215.  Myiodioctes  Bonaportii.     Aud. 

Bonaparte's  Flycatcher. 

216.  CardcUina  liuhra.     Bonap. 

Vermilion  Flycatcher. 

217.  Seiophaga  Kvlir.iUa.     Swains. 

Redstart. 

218.  Setophai/a  Phia.     Swains. 

Painted  Flycatcher. 
213.  Setopha(ja  Miniata.     Swaina. 
Reu-uei.lied  Flycatcher. 

220.  I'yraiuia  Rubra.     Vioill. 

Scarlet  Tanaqer. 

221.  Pyramja  Jirtiva.     Vieill. 

Summer  Red  Bird. 

222.  Pi/ranf/a  llrpatica.     Swains. 

Rocky  Miu'ntain  Tanaoer. 

223.  Pyrauija  Lwloriciana.     Bonap. 

Louisiana  Tanager. 

224.  Euphonia  /'Jlei/atilissima.     Cray. 

Blue-headi'u  Tanaoer. 

225.  Hirundo  llorreorum.     Barton. 

Barn  Swallow. 

226.  Hinindo  Lunifrons.     Say. 

Clipe  Swallow. 

227.  Hirundo  Ricolor.     Vieill. 

White-iieli,!ed  Sh- allow. 

228.  Hirundo  '/'hala.isina.     Swaint. 

Violet  (ireen  Swallow. 

229.  Cotyle  Eiparta.     Boie. 

Bank  Swallow. 

230.  Coti/le  Si'rripenni'<.     Bonap. 

RuuuH-wiNciEi)  Swallow. 

231.  l*ro(jne  Purpurea.     Bole. 

Pi'Ri'LE  Martin. 

231a.  IVoyne 

(Kloriila). 

232.  Ampelis  (larrulus.     Linn. 

Wax  Wino. 

233.  Ampelis  Cedrnrnm.     Baird. 

Cedar  Bird. 

234.  Phainiijiepla  Xitms.     Si-latcr. 

IJlai'K-ckksteu  Flycatcher. 

235.  Mijiadisles  Tuwiiscndii.     Cab. 

ToWN.SfJND's  !•  lycatcher. 

236.  CoUiirin  }i„rmli.i.     U.iir  1. 

Great  Northern  Shrike. 
237     Cvtlyrio  l.udiii-irianii.'i.     Baird. 
Louueuuead  Sukike. 


238.  Collyrio  Kxcuhiioroides.     Baird. 

White-rumped  Shrikb. 

239.  Collyrio  Elci/aus.     Baird. 

Wuite-winued  Shr4)^. 

240.  Vireo  Olivaceus.     Vieill. 

Red-eyed  Flycatcher. 

241.  Vireo  Flavoriridis.     Cassia, 

Yellow-ureen  Vireo. 

242.  Vireo  Virescens.     Vieill. 

Baitram's  Vireo. 

243.  Vircu  Altiloquus.     Gray.  " 

Whip  Tom  Kelly. 

244.  Vireo  Philadel])hicus.     Cassin. 

Philadelphia  Vireo. 

245.  Vireo  Gilvus.     Bonap. 

Warhlinq  Flycatcueb. 

246.  Vireo  Belli.     Aud. 

Bell's  Vireo. 

247.  Vireo  Atricajiillu.t.     Wondh. 

Black-headed  Flycatcher. 

248.  Vireo  N'ovelxiracennis.     Bonap. 

White-eyed  Vireo. 

249.  Vireo  Hut/oni.     Cass. 

IIl'tton's  Flycatcher. 

250.  Vireo  Soliturius.     Vieill. 

Blue-headed  Flycatcher. 

251.  Vireo  Cassinii.     Xantus. 

Cassin's  Vireo. 

252.  Vireo  Flacifrnns.     Vieill. 
Yellow-throated  Flv(!atoher. 

253.  Mimus  i'oli/jilottu.f.     Boie. 

MocKiNO  Bird. 
25iia.  Var.  Mimus  Cnudatus.     Baird. 
LoNO-TAii.Eu  Mocker. 

254.  Mimus  Carolineiisis.     Gray. 

Cat  Bird. 

255.  Oreoscoptes  Miintiiri'S.     Baird. 

MliUNTAIN    MoCKI.no   BiRD. 

25o.   Harpor/ii/nrhu.i  ItcAivivus.     Cab. 
CAi.iroHMA  Thkush. 

257.  Uarpor/ii/nc/iu.s  I.eroitlii.     Bonnp. 

Le^onte's  Thrush. 

258.  Harpdr/iyHcUii.i  Crinsalis.     Henry. 

Red-vented  Thrusii. 

259.  HarpdrhijnriiHS  Ciirvirnsiris.     Cab. 

('uRVE-uii.LED  Thrush. 
259a.  Uarporhiinchua  Vetula.     Baird. 

Me.\UAN   TlIRU.-ill. 

200.   Uarporhiinchiis  LoDiiirnstris.    Cab. 
Te.vas  Thrasher. 

261.  narporhyuihus  Piif'u.i.     Cab. 

Brown  Thrush. 
261rt.  HarixirJii/nrhus  l.iiiiiiirnuda.     Bi'ii 

LoNi;-TAILED  TllKl'SH. 

262.  Campylorhynchus  Brunnticapittii.t. 

Gray, 

263.  Calherves  Mexieanus.     Baird. 

WlllTE-TIIROATKD  WkEN. 

264.  Salpincles  Olimiletus.     Cab. 

Rock  Wren. 


'■■  ■,■?! 


CATALOGUE  OF   NORTH   AMERICAN  BIRDS. 


265.  Thri/othnni3  Lvdovicianus.    Bonap 

Okkat  Carolina  Wren. 
260.  Thryothorus  Jhrlandieri.     Couch. 
Beri-andibr's  Wren. 

267.  Thryothonm  lieieicMi.     Bonap. 

Bewick's  Wren. 

268.  Cistothorus  Puhistris.     Cub. 

Ldnq-bili.eu  Marsh  Wren. 

269.  Ciniothorus  Stdlnris.     Cab. 
SiiORT-uii,i.ED  Marsh  Wren. 

270.  Troylodytc.1  Mhm.     Viuill. 

House  Wren. 

271.  Ti-oglodi/fes  I'arhnanni.     Aud. 

Parkman's  Wren. 

272.  Troglodytes  Ameriranus.     AuJ. 

WdOD  Wres. 

273.  Troglodytes  Jlyeiiuilis.     Vicill. 

Winter  Wren. 

274.  Chamcea  Fusciata.     Gambol. 

Ground  Tit. 

275.  Ccrthia  Aiiieriattia.     Bonnp. 

American  Creeper. 
270.   Ccrthia  ]ffxiran(i.     Glogor. 

Me.TICAN  CREEk'ER. 

277.  Sitta  Carnliiicnsis.     Ginelin. 

White-iiki.lieu  Nuthatch. 

278.  SiUa  Annli'iihi.     dis^iii. 

Si,ENi)ER-iii I.I.ED  Nuthatch. 

279.  Silln  Canadensis.     Linn. 

KED-nEi.i.iED  Nuthatch. 

280.  Sitta  I'usi/la.     Liitluuii. 

Brown-headed  Nuthatch. 

281.  SiUa  ry:pncea.     Vigors. 

California  Nuthatch. 

282.  Piilioptila  Ciernlea.     Solat. 

BLUE-OR.-iV  Onatcatcher. 

283.  Pulinplila  I'hiwijca.     Bainl, 

We.stern  (inatcatcher. 

284.  Poliiiplila  Melditwa,     Liiwronco. 

Bl..iCK-TAILF.I)  (iNATCATCIIER. 

285.  jAtphojihnttes  Hiculor.     Boniip. 

TUKTEU  'I'lTMOUSE. 

280.  Lophnphaius  Atricrtstntui.     Cass. 

Black-crested  Tit. 
2S7.  Lophopknnes  liionmtus.     Caasin. 

Orav  Titmouse. 
283.  Lnphnp/taites  Wollweberi.     Bonap. 

WoLI.WEHEK'.S  TlTMOU.SE. 

289.  Parus  Septititridiialis.     Harris. 

LO.NG-TAILED  C.'IICKADEE. 

2S9a.  Var.  I'aius  Albescens.     Baird. 
lloARV  Titmouse. 

290.  Parus  Atri'-apillus.     Linn. 

Hl,A(  K-'AI'  TlTMOU.SE. 

291.  Parus  Orridentalis.     Baird. 

Western  'I'itmousb. 

292.  Parus  Miriilinnalis.     Sclatcr. 

Mexican  Titmouse. 

293.  Parus  Caialinensis.     Aud. 

Carolina  Titmuusb. 


294.  Parus  Novtanus.    Gambel. 

Mountain  Titmouse. 

295.  Parus  Uuffseeus.     Towns. 

Chestnut-backed  Tit. 
290.  Parus  Jiiidstinicus.     Forster, 
IluDsoNiAN  Titmouse. 

297.  l^saltriparus  Melannliis.     Bonap. 

Black-cheeked  Tit. 

298.  Psaltripariis  Minimus.     Bonap, 

Lea.st  Tit. 

299.  Psaltriparus  Plumljeus.     Baird. 

Lead-colored  Tit. 

300.  Paruidcs  Flavireps.     Baird, 

Verdin. 

301.  Certhinla  F/aveola.     Sund. 

Yeli.ow-rumi'ed  Creeper, 

302.  Eremophila  Corimta.     Boio. 

Skv  Lakk. 

303.  Jlesperiphona  Vesperlina.    Bonap, 

Kvenino  Grosueak. 

304.  Pinicola  Canadensis.     Cab. 

Pine  Grosbeak. 

305.  Carpodaeus  Purpureus.     Gray. 

Purple  Iinch. 

306.  Carpndacus  Calif oruicus.     Baird. 

Western  Purplf:  Finch. 

307.  Carpiidarns  Cassinii.     Baird. 

Cassin's  Purple  Finch. 

308.  Carj^odactis  Frontalis.     Gray. 

House  Finch, 

309.  Carpodania  llmmnrrhnus.     Wagl. 

•Me.xican  Finch. 

310.  Chrysiimilris  Maiiellanica.    Bonap. 

Black-ueaded  Goldfincw. 

311.  Chrisiimitris  Stanleyi-     Bonap. 

Stanley's  Goldfinch. 

312.  Chrysiiviitris  Yarrelli.     Bonap. 

Yarrell'h  Goldfinch. 

313.  Chrysotiiiiris  Tristis.     Bonap. 

Yellow  Bird. 

314.  Chrysumitris  Pscllria.     Bonap. 

Arkansas  Finch. 
31.').   Chrysumitris  Mrxicma.     Bonap, 

Me.xiian  (ioldfinch. 
310.    Chrysomilris  l.awrenrii.     Bonap. 
Lawrence's  Goldkinch. 

317.  Chrysumitri::  Finns.     Bonap. 

Pine  Finch. 

318.  Curviro.ftra  Americana.     Wiln. 

Bed  ('riissbill. 
318a.  Viir.  Cnrrimstra  Mexicana.  Strick. 

Mexican  Cro.ssbill. 
V.i.   Currirostra  Leuroplera.     Wils. 
White-winoed  Cro.ssbill. 

320.  .A'^ijiuthus  Linmia.     Cab. 

Lesser  Ked  Poll. 

321.  jKgiiitlius  ('une.snns.     Cab. 

Meai.v  14ed  Poll. 

322.  Ijturostirte  Tiphrocatis.     Swains. 

Gray  Cr'iwned  Finch. 


\\ 


ill"i.i 


CATALOGUE   OF   NORTH   AMERICAN    BIRDS. 


VII 


32i>    fjtucnsticle  GriseinncJia.    Bonap. 
Oray-necked  Finch. 

324.  Leucosticte.  Arctava.     Bonnp. 

Ahctic  Finch. 

325.  PUctrop'.iaiicn  Nivalis.     Moyer. 

Snow  Bunting. 

326.  Plectrophanes  Lappanints.     Selby. 

Lapland  Lonospur. 

327.  Plectrophanes  Pirtvs.     Swains. 

Smith's  Buntino. 

328.  Plectrophanes  Oinatus.     Towns. 

rilKSTNllT-COM.ARED  BuNTINO. 

329.  riectrophanen  Melaiiovius.     Biilrd. 

Bl.ACK-SIIOUI.DEKED  LnNCiSl'UR. 

330.  Plectrophanes  lifarrnwuii.     Lnwr. 

MaCCOWn'h  LllNOSi'UR. 

331.  Centr<ivi/x  Itnirdii.     Biiird. 

B.ukd's  Buntino. 

332.  Passerciilns  Suranna.     Biinnp. 

Savannah  Sparrow. 
33.'5.   Pasxcrriihi.i  Sandwirhcusis.  Bl. 

NoiiTKA  Sparrow. 
334.  Pns.ieroiliis  Anthinvs.     Bonap. 

Spotted  Sparrow. 
33.^).  Passeiriiliis  Alaudiniis.     Bonnp. 
Lark  Sparrow. 

336.  Passerrnlii.i  linxliatns.    Baird. 

Beakki)  Sparrow. 

337.  Pooecetes  (iramineiis.     Baird. 

Or  ASS  Finch. 

338.  Colvrnicnhis  J'ds^iriinis.     Bonap. 

YEM-OWWIN(iED  .Sp.'.RROW. 

339.  Cuturniciilus  llinslmci.     Bonap. 

IIensi.ow's  Buntino. 

340.  Colurnirutiis  l.eronlii.     Bonap. 

Lkconte's  Buntino. 

341.  Ammoitrotnns  Cdintiiciitiis.  Swains 

SiiARP-TAii.K!)  Finch. 

342.  Annniiilnimii.H  Maiitinms.   Swains. 

Sea-si  hi:  Finch. 
313.  Ammodromii.t  SamKctis.     Baird. 

.*<amuei,'s  Finch. 
344.   Choiidistis  Griiniviara.     Bonap. 

Lark  Finch. 
315.  Zonotriihiii  I.eitrophri/s.     Swains. 
WiiiTECRoHNEi)  Sparrow. 

346.  Zonutrirhin  diiniliilii.     Swain.i. 

(jAMiiKi.'s  Finch. 

347.  Zonnlrii'hid  Ciiiiiuata      Baird. 

(lOI.DENCROlVNEI)  SPAKROW. 

348.  ZoHolrirhia  Qiiinila      Uanib. 

Harris's  Finch. 

349.  Ziinntrichid  Ailiiiolti.i,      Bonap. 

White  THROATED  Sparrow. 

350.  Junco  Cinirevs.     Tali. 

Mexican  Junco. 

351.  Junro  Dorsalis.     Henry. 

Ked-iiackf.d  Snow  Bird. 

352.  Junco  Oiri/iiniis.     Si'lat. 

Oreuun  Snow  Bird. 


353. 
354. 
355. 
350. 
357. 
358. 
B.'iO. 

aco. 

361. 
362. 
.■563. 
304. 
365. 
300. 
367. 
308. 
369. 
370. 
371. 
372. 
373. 
374. 

;i75. 

376. 

:i76a 

377. 

378. 

379. 

380. 

381. 


Junco  Vaniceps.     Baird. 

Gray-headed  Snow  Bird. 
Junco  Ilyemulis.     Sdat. 
Black  Snow  Bird. 
I'oospiza  lUliniata.     Solat. 

Black-throated  Sparrow. 
Poospiza  lic.lli,     Solat. 
Bell's  Finch. 
Spizella  Monlicola.     Baird. 

Tree  Sparrow. 
Spizella  PitsHla.     Bonnp. 

Field  Sparrow. 
Spizella  Sdcialis.      Honnp. 

Chippino  Sparrow. 
Spizella  Pallida.     Bonap. 
Clay-coi.oreii  Buntino. 
Spizella  lirnrcii.     Cnssin. 

Brewer's  ISparrow. 
Spizella  Atiinulari.i,     Baird. 
Black-ciiinneu  Sparrow. 
Melospiza  Mt  India.     Baird. 

SoNii  Sparrow. 
Melospiza  Ilcermanni.     Baird. 
Heeruann's  Sono  Sparrow. 
Melospiza  Gouldii.     Baird 

(jould'h  Sparrow. 
Melospiza  linjina.     Baird. 
Busty  Song  Sparrow. 
Melospiza  FalUix.     Biiird. 

Mountain  Son(;  Sparrow. 
Melospiza  I.incnlnii.     Baird. 

Lincoln's  Finch. 
Melospiza  Palnsliis.     Baird. 

Swamp  Sparrow. 
l\ucaea  Aestivalis.     Onb. 

Baciiman's  Finch. 
Pencaca  (^assinii.     Baird. 

Cassis's  Finch. 
Pewaea  linji'ips.     Baird. 
Brownheaiiei)  Finch. 


.% 


End)ernai!ra  liiifiviniata.     Lawr. 

Te.XAS  t'lNCH. 

Passerella  Uinca.     Swains. 
Fox-colored  Sparrow. 
Passerella  Towiiscndii.     Nutt. 

OuEiioN  Finch. 
Passerella  Schisldrea.     Bnird. 

SLATE-idi.oRF.i)  Sparrow. 
.  J'as.itr,  lla  .Vii/anii/m hus.     Baird. 

'riiicKiiiLLEi)  Finch. 
Calamospizd  liiiolnr.     Bonnp. 

Lark  Buntino. 
Eiispiza  Aiiierirdua.     Bonap. 
Black-thhoated  Bunting. 
Euspi:a  Tidvusmdii.     Bonnp. 

Townsend's  Buntino. 
Guirara  Litdoviiiana.     Swains. 

KosE-nREASTKIl  (IroSHEAK. 

Guirara  Milanariphala.     Swaiaa. 
Black-headed  Urosbeak. 


VIII 


CATALOGUE   OF   NORTH    AMERICAN   BIRDS. 


\i    I  ■  I  'ijav/ 


382.  Guiraca  Caerulea.     Swains. 

Br.uE  Grosbeak. 

383.  Cyanospizii  J'arellina.     Baird. 

Blue  Bunting. 

384.  Cyanospiza  Ciris.     Baird. 

Fainted  Bunting. 

385.  Cyanospiza  Versicolor.     Baird. 

VAniED  Bunting. 

386.  Cyanospiza  Avwenn.     Buird. 

Lazvi.i  Finch. 

387.  Cyanospiza  Cijnnea.     Baird. 

Indico  Bird. 

388.  Spermophila  Mnrdelii.    Piicheran. 

Little  Seeueater. 

389.  ryrrhnldxia  Siuiiata.     Bonap. 

Texah  Cakdinai.. 

390.  Cardinalis  Viri/inianiis.    Bonap. 

Red  Bird. 

391.  Pipilo  Erythrophthalimis.     Vieill. 

Ground  Rubin  ;  TotviiEE 

392.  Pipilo  Orcdonus.     Boil. 

OREiiON  Ground  Rodin. 
vl93.  Pipilo  Arrticvs.     Swains. 
Arctic  Towiiee. 

394.  Pipilo  Mn/altinyx.     Buird. 

SrURRKD  TuwiiEE. 

395.  Pipilo  Alxriii.     Biiiid. 

A  Bert's  Towiiee. 

396.  Pipilo  J-'usrus.     Swains. 

Brown  Towhbe. 

397.  ISpilo  Mtsoleucus.     Baird. 

Canon  Finch. 

398.  Pipilo  Chtorura.     Baird. 

Green-tailed  Finch. 

399.  Dolichoni/x  Oryzivorus.     Swains. 

Bobi.ink;  Reed  Bird. 

400.  Moloihrtts  Ptci'vis.     Swuins. 

Cow  Bird. 

401.  Ayflaiii.i  I'/ianireiis.     Vieill. 

Red-wi.nged  Blackbird. 

402.  Aijelaius  (iultenialor.     Bonap. 

Reh-suouldkred  Blackbird. 

403.  Aijelaius  T)-irolor.     Bonap. 

Red  and  White-shouldered  Blackbird. 

404.  A'aiilhocep/iiiliis  Iclerocephalus. 

Yellow-hkadkd  Blackbird. 

405.  Trupialis  Miliiariii.     Bonap. 

Red-hreasted  Lark. 

406.  Slurnellu  Mai/iui.    Swains. 

Meauow  Lark. 
407    Slurnellu  A'tylecla.     Aud. 
Western  Lark. 

408.  Ictenis  Vuli/aris.     Daudin. 

TRocriAL. 

409.  Icterus  Audulniuii.     Giraud. 

Audubcn's  Uriole. 

410.  Icterus  ^ftiandcejihalns.     Gray. 

I^LACK-IIKADKD  (.>RIOLE. 

411.  Icfeius  I'drinin  tnn.      Bonap. 

Scott's  Oriolb. 


412.  Ictei'us  Waijleri.    Sulator. 

Waolkr's  Oriole. 

413.  Icterus  (7ucullatus.     Swains. 

Hooded  Oriole. 

414.  Icterus  Sjmrius.     Bonap. 

Orchard  Oriole. 

415.  Icterus  Hallimoie.     Daudin, 

Baltimore  Oriole. 

416.  Icterus  Hullockii.     Bonap. 

Bullock's  Criole. 

417.  ScolecophiKjus  Ferrw/ineus.  Swains 

RuHTY  Blackbird. 

418.  Scoleciif  .'lai/us  Ci/aixiciphalui. 

Brewer's  Blackbird. 

419.  Quisriilus  Mdcrourn.     Swains. 

LONO-TAILED  GrAKLE. 

420.  Quiscaliis  Mnjur.     Vioill. 

HoAT-TAII.EI)  GrAKLE. 

421.  Qui.icahi.1  I'crsicolor.     Vieill. 

Crow  Blackbird. 

422.  Quiscdlus  liarilus.     Vioill. 

Florida  Blackbird. 

423.  Corvus  C iriiimnoi.     Bartraui. 

American  Raven. 

424.  Corvus  Cacahill.     Wajrl. 

Colorado  Raven. 

425.  Corvus  Cri/jiliihiiciis.     (Jouch. 

WlllTE-NKCKED  CroW. 

42G.   Corvus  Amcriiaiiu.i.     Aud. 
Common  Crow. 

427.  Var.   Corrus  Floridanus.     Baird. 

Florida  Crow. 

428.  Cordis  ('(luriinis.     Baird. 

Western  Fish  Crow. 

429.  Corrus  Ossil'niiiiis.     Wilson. 

Fish  Ckow. 

430.  IHcicorcus  I'oluniliiaitus.     Bonap. 

Clark's  I'kow. 

431.  Gymiiol.illit  Ci/tiiuwcphala.     I'r.  M. 

iMaximilian's  .Jay. 

432.  Pica  Iludsoiiica.     Bonap. 

Magi'ie. 

433.  Pica  Nullalli.     Aud. 

Yellow-billed  Magpie. 

434.  Cyannra  Crisliila.     Swains. 

Bi.iE  .Jav. 

435.  Cyanura  Ktelliri.     Swains. 

Stki.ler's  Jay. 

436.  Cyanura  Macvohphus.     Baird, 

Loso-c'REsted  Jav. 

437.  Cyanocitta  Califomica.     Strick. 

California  Jay. 

438.  Cyanocitta  H'ood/iousii.     Baird. 

Woouiioi'sk'.s  Jay. 
4.19.   Cyanocitta  Floridana.     Bonap. 
Florida  .Jay. 

440.  Cyanocitta  Sordida.     Baird. 

Mountain  Jay. 

441.  Cyanocitta  I'llrumariua.     Strick. 

Ultramarine  Jay. 


CATALOGUE  OF  NORTH   AMERICAN   BIRDS. 


IX 


442.  Xanthoura  Litxuosa.     Bonap. 

Okbkn  Jay. 

443.  Pei'isoreus  Canadensis,     Bonap 

Canada  Jat. 

444.  Psilorhinus  Morio.    Gray. 

Bkown  Jay. 

445.  Columha  Fasniata.     Sny. 

UaND-TAII.ED  I'lOiCON. 

446.  Columha  Flaviroslvis.     Wagl. 

Ued-bili.kd  Dove. 

447.  Columha  Leucocephnla.     Linn. 

WiIITB-IIF.AUED  PlOEON. 

448.  Eetopislen  Mitjraloria.     Swains. 

Wild  I'ujeun. 

449.  Zenaida  Amahilh.     Bunap. 

Zenaida  Dove. 

450.  Mdopelia  Leucoplera.     Bonap, 

White-winged  Dove. 

451.  Zeiiakluia  Caroiinennis.     Bonap. 

Common  Dove. 

452.  Scardafdia  S<{iiami)sa.     Bonap. 

ScAi.v  Dove. 

453.  Chamaepel ia  fasm'-ina.     Swains. 

Ground  Dove. 

454.  Oreopiieia  MarliuiDU.     Reich. 

Kkv  West  I'iueon. 

455.  Starnnenas  Cijnnocephala.     Bonap. 

Blue-headed  I'ioeon. 

456.  Orlalida  M' C  CallL     Buird. 

Chiacalacca. 

457.  Mdcagris  Gallnpavo.     Linn. 

Wild  Turkev. 

458.  Meleaijris  Mtxintna.     Gould. 

Mexican  Turkey. 

459.  Tetrao  Ohsniiiin.     Siiy. 

Dusky  Grouse. 

460.  Tetrao  CniindcuHin.     Linn. 

Si'HucE  Partridge. 
401.   Tetrao  Franldinii.     Douglas. 
Franklin's  Grouse. 

462.  Centrocercus  Urophasianus.  Swain. 

Sage  Cock. 

463.  Pedinecetes  Phasiunellns.     Baird. 

Siiari'-taii.kd  Grouse. 
464    Cupidonia  Cupido.     Baird. 
Prairie  Hen. 

465.  Bonasa  Vmhtllits.     Steph. 

Huffed  Grouse. 

4G5a.  Var.  Iiima.ia  UmheUoides.     Baird. 

Gray  Mountain  Grouse. 

466.  Bonasa  iSdhinii.     Baird. 

Oregon  Grouse, 

467.  LagopHH  AUnm.     And. 

White  Ptarmigan. 

468.  Lagopus  liiipeslris.     Leach. 

Rook  Grouse. 
46G.  iMfjopus  lAiirurus.     Swains. 
White-taii.kd  Ptarmigan. 
470.   Lai/iipii^  Amrriranns.     Aud. 
American  Ptarmigan. 


471.  Ortyx  Virginianus.    Bonap. 

Partridge;  Quail. 

472.  (h-tyx  Texanus.     Lawr. 

Texas  Quail. 

473.  Oreortyx  Pictus.     Baird 

Mountain  Quail. 

474.  Lophorlyx  Cali/ornicus.    Bonap. 

California  Quail. 

475.  Lophorlyx  Gamhelii,     Nutt. 

Gambei.'s  Partridge. 

476.  Callipejila  Sf/uamala,    Gray. 

Blue  Partridge. 

477.  Cyrtonyx  Masseua.    Gould. 

Massena  Partridge, 

478.  Grus  Americanus.     Ord. 

Whooimno  Crane. 

479.  Grus  Canadensis.     Tomm. 

Sand-hill  Crane. 

480.  Grus  Fralerndus.     Cassin,       'i  .'>. 

Little  Crane.  /' 

481.  Aramus  Giganleus.     Baird. 

Crying  Bird. 

482.  Demiegrelta  Pealii.     Baird. 

Peale's  Kg  ret. 
483    Demiegretta  Ihifa.     Baird. 
Reddish  Egret. 

484.  Demiegrelta  Ludomciana.    Baird. 

Louisiana  Heron. 

485.  Garzella  Candidissima.     Bonap. 

Snowy  Heron. 

486.  Ilerodias  Kgrella.    Gvay. 

White  Heron. 

486a.  Herodias  Kgrdia,  v.  Californica, 

California  Egret. 

487.  Ardea  Herodias.     Linn.       ' 

Gre.\t  Blue  Herun. 

488.  Ardea  Wiirdemannii,    Baird, 

Florida  Heron, 

489.  Auduhtmia  (h-cidentalis,     Bonap. 

Great  Whits;  Heron. 

490.  Florida  Cir.rulea.     Baird. 

Blue  Heron. 

491.  Ardetia  Kxilis.     Gray. 

Least  Bittern. 

492.  Botaurus  Laitiginosiis.     Stcph, 

Bittern  ;  Stake  Driver. 

493.  Butorides  Virfsrens.     Bonap. 

Green  Heron. 
491.   Buturidis  Bruniiesrens.     Baird, 
Brown  Heron. 

495.  Nyctiardfii  Gardeni.     Baird. 

Night  Heron. 

496.  Nyrlherodiii.i  Violaceus.     Reioh. 

Yellow-crowned  Heron. 

497.  Tantalus  Lociilalnr.     Linn, 

Wood  I  his. 

498.  Ihis  Huhra.     Vieill, 

Red  Ibis. 

499.  Ihis  Alha.    Vioill. 

White  Ibis, 


CATALOaUK  OF   NORTH   AMERICAN    BiHDS. 


600.  Ibii  Ordii.    Bonnp. 

U LOSSY  Ibis. 
500a.  Ibis  Guarauna.     Shaw. 

Bronzed  luia. 

501,  riataleii  Ajoja.     I.inn. 

Uosr  SrouNniLL. 

502.  I'hvcniwpleiun  liuher.     Linn. 

Flahinoo. 

603.  Charadriun  Vhninicus.     Borck. 

(jidLDEN   i'uiVER. 

604.  Aegialitit  Vncifeyus.     Cassin. 

KlLLUEER. 

506.  Aegialitis  Mimhinua.     Cassin. 

Mountain  I'i.over. 
500.  Aegialilis  JVilnouius.     Cassin. 
Wilson's  1'lover. 

507.  Aeijialilin  Semipalmatuii.     Cab. 

ISeuipalmated  1'lover. 

608,  Aegialilis  j)fil(iduii.     Cab. 

I'liMNo  Plover. 

609.  Aeyialili.1  Airo.ius.     ('nssin. 

Western  1'lover. 
JIO.  Sqna/arola  lltlrelini.  '  Cuv. 
Bi.ack-uei.i.ied  I'i.over. 

511.  Ap/triza  Viiiiiila.     Gray. 

SuRf  Bird. 

512.  Jlaciiiatdpiis  J'lliialiis.     Tcmin. 

OvsTKR  Catcher. 

513.  Haniialoini.i  Xi</er.     I'allas. 

Bacuman's  Ovster  ('at<iier, 

514.  Ilaemalipus  Ater.     Vicillot. 

Dusky  Ov.ster  Catcher. 

515.  S/repsitas  Infiipres.     lUi};. 

Turnstone. 
510.  Strejy.silfis  ,)filiiitoi-e,>hala.     Vij;. 

Black  Turn.stone. 
617.  Recurviroxtra  Americana.     Omel. 

American  Avdset. 

518.  Himaii/iipim  Xii/rirolli.i.     Vicillot. 

Black-necked  Stilt. 

519.  riiahiriipiis  Wilminii.     Sab. 

Wilson's  I'liALARcirE. 

520.  r/ialiircjiiis  Ibiperbtiieuii.     Tcmin. 

North  ERN  I'll  a  la  rope. 

521.  rhaUii-i'}ius  Fidirarius.     Bonap. 

IU:l>  I'llALAROI'E. 

622.  Phihlie!ii  Minor,     (irny. 
American  Woodcock. 

523.  Galliitwio  Wil.sonii.     Bonap. 

Enolisii  Snii'e. 

524.  Afaernr/ianiphii.i  Gri.ieun.     Leach. 

ItED-llREA.STED  SnIPE. 

525.  Macroihaiiiphun  Scolnpaceus.     La. 

Greater  Lonuiieak. 

526.  Trinya  Canutus.     Linn. 

Knot. 
627.   Trinrja  Canperi.     Biiird. 
Cooper's  Sandpiper. 
528.   Triiujn  Miirilima.     Brllnnich. 

I'URPLE  Sa.SDPIPER. 


629.  Tringa  Subarquala.     Tcmm. 

Ci'Ri.Ew  Sandpiper. 

630.  Tringa  Alpiiia.  \' nr.  Americana,  Cu. 

ItEu-UACKED  Sandpiper. 

631.  Tiinga  Maculala.     Vicill. 

Jack  Snipe. 

532.  IVinga  Wiiionii.     Nuttall. 

Least  Sandpiper. 

533.  Tringa  Jionapartii.     Sclilogol. 

Bonaparte's  Sandpiper. 

534.  Calidria  Arcntnia.     Illigcr. 

SANDERI.INn. 

535.  Ereiiurtia  I'elrijiratus.     III. 

Sehipalmateu  Sandpiper. 

530.  JUicropaliimii  llimautopns.     Baird, 

Stilt  Sandpiper. 

537.  Symp/ieinia  Snnipalmata.     Ilartl. 

Wll.LET. 

538.  Glottis  Fliiriilaniis.     Bonap. 

Florida  (Ireenshank. 

539.  Gamliitia  Mclniiolnira.     Bonap. 

Telltale;  Stone  Snipe. 

540.  Gambetta  Flnripni.     Bonap. 

Yellow  Leos. 

541.  RhyadiphiluK  Soliliirin.i.     Bonap. 

Solitary  Sandpiper. 
642.  Iletcr(i.i(Tlu!<  ISrrripes.     Bnird. 
Wanderino  '('atler. 

543.  IVingiiidr.i  Mitruldritis.     Gray. 

Spotted  Sandpiper. 

544.  Philomuchus  I'lujnax.     Gray. 

Ruff. 

545.  Actiturun  llailrnmius.     Bonap, 

Field  I'i.over. 
540.   Trini/ilc.i  liiifrnr-'ns.     Cab. 

BCKK-IIRKASTED  SaNDPIPER. 

547.  Limona  Fniait.    Ord. 

MaRIILED  (ioDWIT. 

548.  Lintoxa  Uiiilsntiica.     Swains. 

Hudson  (iodwit. 

549.  Niiinenius  l.oni/irii.ilri.f.     Wils, 

Lonu-iii I.I.ED  Curlew. 
5.50.  A'uHK'iiiH.t  llutl.iitniciis.     Latliam 

llUDSoSIAN   ClRl.EW. 

551.  Kumeiiiu.i  llorenlia.     Liitham, 
KsyriMAU.x  Curlew. 

652.  llallus  J-Jtfi/iin.1.     And, 

.Marsh  Hen. 

653.  Iiallu.1  CnpiltiitH.     Gm, 

Clapper  Rail. 
554.  Rallus  Vivginiaitun.     Linn. 

ViHoiNiA  Rail. 
655.  Porzana  Vurolina.     Vioill. 

Common  Rail. 

550.  Purznna  Jii>n(iireii.ii.t.     Cassin. 

Little  Black  Kail. 
567.  Porzana  XaveburareiLiis. 

Yellow  Rail 
558,  Crex  IVatennis.     Bechst. 
Corn-crake. 


m :  imk'^^ 


OATALOaUE  OF   NORTH   AMERICAN    BIRDS. 


S59.  Fulica  Americana.    Qmelin. 

Coot. 
500.  Gallinula  Galeaia.     Bnnap. 
Florida  Qalmnulk. 

561.  Gallinula  Martinica.     Lath. 

PURI'LR  Uali.inuli. 
561a.  Cygnus  Americanxtii.    Shnrpless. 
American  Swan. 

562.  Cygnus  liarrinator.     Rich. 

Trumi'etek  Swan. 

563.  Anser  lliiperUoren.t.     FuUas. 

Snow  U<)0!<r. 
r)6.3a.  Anser  AUmlun.     CiiRsin. 
Whitk  Goose. 

564.  Anser  Caerulesrens.     Linn. 

WHITK-IIEAUED   OoOSB. 

565.  Anser  Gamhelii.     Ilurtlnub. 

White-fronted  Ooosb, 

566.  Anser  FrfiiilnUn.     Biiird. 

Brown-fronted  Goose. 

567.  Bernicld  Canadensis.     Boie. 

Canada  Goose. 
567a.  Bernida  Orcidcntalis.    Biiird. 
Western  Goose. 

568.  Bemir.ln  Lencopareia.     Cnssin. 

White  ciif.kkkd  Goose. 

569.  Bernida  Huh'hinsii.     Bunap. 

Hutciiin's  Goose. 

570.  Bernida  Brenta.     Steph. 

Brant. 

571.  Bernida  Nigricans.     CuHsin. 

Black  Brant. 

572.  Bernida  l.tucopsis.     (Linn.) 

Barnacle  Goose. 

573.  Chloephaga  Canin/ica.     Bonap. 

Painted  Goose 
57-1.  Dendiosi/gna  Antumualis.     Eyton. 

LoNU-I.EUUED   UUCK. 

575.  Dendrnn/gva  Fiih-a.     Hurm. 

Brown  Trk.e-Uuck. 

576.  Anas  Boschas.     Linu. 

Mallard. 

577.  Anas  Ohscura.     Gmul. 

Black  Duck. 

578.  Dajila  Acuta.     Jenyns. 

SrRUi-TAll,  i    I'iN-TAIL. 

579.  Nettiiiit  Carolinen.ii.t.     Baird. 

Green-winoed  Teal. 
680.   Nettton  Cricra.     Kniip. 
En(ii,i-h  Teal. 

581.  Querqufdula  l>iscora.    Steph. 

Bhir-winued  Teal. 

582.  Querqui'dula  Ci/annpirrus.     Cossin. 

Ked-dreastfd  Teal. 

583.  Spatula  I'li/penta.     Boio. 

Shoveller. 

584.  Chaulelasmiis  Sireperus.    Gray. 

Gadwall. 

585.  Mareca  Amn  irana.     Stephens. 

Baldi-atb. 


586.  Mareca  Penelope.     Bonap. 

Widgeon. 

587.  Aix  Sponsa.     Boie. 

Summer  Dock. 

588.  Fulix  Marila.     Raird. 

Greater  Black-uiad. 

589.  Fulix  Affinis.     Biiird. 

Little  Black-head. 

590.  Fulix  Collar  is.     Biiird. 

Rind-necked  Duck. 

591.  Aylhya  Americana.     Bonap, 

Red-head. 
502.  Aylhya  Vallinnnia.     Bunap. 

Canvas-uack. 
593.  Bucephala  Avurirana,     Baird. 

Golden  Eve. 
.594.  Bucephala  Islandtcn.     Bnird.  . 
Barrow's  Golden  Eve. 

595.  Bucephala  Albeola.     Baird.  '' 

Butter  Ball. 

596.  Histrinnivus  Torqualns.    Bonap. 

Harlequin  Duck. 

597.  Ilartlda  Glai-ialis.     Loaob. 

South  Southerly. 

598.  I'ulystida  Stelleri.     Kyton. 

Steller'.s  Duck. 

599.  Lampronelta  Fischeri.     Brandt. 

Si'ectacled  Kider. 

600.  Camptiilaemus  i.ahiadoritia.    Oraj. 

Laiikador  Duck, 
001.  Mdanetia  Vdretina.     Buird. 
Velvet  Duck. 

602.  Pelionelta  rers/iicillala.    Kaup. 

Sure  I>uck. 

603.  Pelionetla  Truwhridi/ii.     Baird. 

Lonc-iiilled  Scoter. 

004.  Oidcniia  Ame.rictna.     Swr.ins. 

Scoter. 

005.  Oidemia  Bimacnlata.     Baird. 

Huron  .Scoter. 

006.  Somaleria  MoUissima,     Leach. 

Eidkr  Duck. 

007.  Somateria  v.  Nii/ra.     Gray. 

Pacific  Eider. 
608.   Somateria  Sperlahitis.     Leaoh. 
Ki.N(i  Eider. 

009.  Erisniatnnt  lluhida.     Bonap. 

Ruddy  Duck. 

010.  Erismntura  Dominira.     Eyton. 

Blai  K  .Masked  Duck. 
Oil.  Mergus  Ainericamis.     Cass. 

Sheldrake. 
012.  Mergus  Serntlor.     Linn. 

Red-iikeasted  Meru anser. 
613.  Loplii'di/les  Cncullatus.     Reich. 

Hooded  Merijanser. 
014.  Mergdlus  AlMlus.     Sdby. 

S.MEW. 

615.  Pdccanus  Kri/lhrorhynchus,     Gm. 
American  Pelican. 


•\ 


XII 

016. 

017. 

018. 

019, 

OIJO. 

021. 

622. 

623. 

624. 

625. 

620. 

627. 

628. 

629. 

C.30. 

031. 

032. 

033. 

034. 
035. 
030. 
637. 
638. 
639. 
640. 
611. 
642. 
043. 
644. 
645. 


CATALOGUE  OF   NORTH    AMKllICAN    BIRDS. 


rdtcanui  Fu.irua.     Linn. 

Uhown  Pki.ican. 
Sula  Hanmna.     Ui-inii. 

Uannet. 
Sula  J'\ber.     (Linn.) 

BuiiBV. 

Tachyprtm  Aqiiita.     Vioill. 

Man-of-war  Bird. 
GraculuH  Vurho.     (Jriiy. 
Common  Cormorant. 
Graeulus  IWaiiicillatuii.     Lawr. 

PaI.I.As'h  CoRMllRANi'. 

Oraculut  Viiieinnaiiin.     Gray. 

TuKTiti)  Cormorant. 
Granilns  IHt<iphus.     Gray. 

l>(ii)iii,K-cRF.sTKi)  Cormorant. 
Graciilii.i  Flariiitnttii.     Konap. 

Florida  Cormorant. 
Granilus  McxirnniiK.     Bonnp. 

Mkxican  Cormorant. 
Granthm  I'eiiirilldtuit.     Bonap. 

Brandt'h  Cormorant. 
Grnndiiii  ViolacfHK.     (iray. 
Violet  (irkkn  Cormorant. 
I'liitiia  Anhiiuta      Liiiii. 
.^NAKK  Bird;  Water  Tirkkv. 
I'h(ie((>n  Flariiiinhi.i.     Brandt. 
Yellow-hilled  Tropic  Bird. 
Diomfdea  Fxiihiint.     Linn. 
Wanderino  Aliiatross. 
Diomedra  /{riir/ii/uia.     Temm. 

Short-tailed  Aluatross. 
Diomcdea  Chlinnrhyniling.     Gmd. 

Yellow-nohed  Aliiatross. 
Diomrdta  Fiili(iin<m(i,     Giiiel. 

Sootv  Aliiatrcjss. 
Proceltiiria  (iijiiiiifea.     Gmol. 

(iuiANTlC   Fi'LMAR. 

l\octUarin  (iiiirinlix.     Linn. 

Fi'LMAR  1'etrel. 
Proedlaiia  Fivifica.     Aud. 

1'ai'IKM-   (•'iM.MAR. 

I'rncellaria  Tinuirti.itri.i.     Aud. 

Slender-iiii.leu  Fulmar. 
Prorellaria  .Vnidiimdlis.     Lawr. 

Tropical  Filmar. 
Daption  Capeiixi.i.     Steph. 

Cape  1'ioeon. 
Thalassidruma  Fuinitn.     Gould. 

F'ORK-TAII.ED   I'eTREL. 

Thalasnidrnma  Jforuhi/i.     Gray. 

HoRNIlV'.S   FeTREL. 

Thalas.iidrduui  Linrliii.     Temm. 

Leach's  Petrel. 
Thalastidriimit  Meliinia.     Boiiap. 

Black  Stormy  I'etrel. 
Thalmtsidrnma  Wilsani.     Bonap. 

Wilson's  Petrel. 
Thnla.isidifinui  Pihi,iirn.     Bonap. 
Motukr  Carey's  Chicken. 


646.  tVtijflttt  Lrwienrii.     lionap. 

Black  an  )  White  Pktrel. 

647.  JStJ/inua  Mnjor.     Falwr. 

Greater  Shearwater. 

648.  ISiJ/iniiH  Fnlii/iHdsus.     Htriok. 

Sooty  Smkarwatkk. 

649.  JSiJ/inux  Am/lnriim.     Tvmin. 

Mank's  Shearwater. 

050.  ISiffinus  (HiHcnnin.     Latli. 

l)U!<Kv  Shearwater. 

051.  l\ffinii.i  t'iiirr4U.<i.     Gmel. 

CiNEREofs  Petrel. 

052.  Stercoiariui  Cutnriactes.     Temm. 

Common  Skua. 

053.  Slerfrorariun  l'(iiinirinu».     Tomm. 

Pomarine  Skua. 

054.  Stereorarius  I'nrasilicus,     Temm, 

Arctic  Skua. 

055.  Stercornriii.s  Crpphua.     Kom. 

Buefon's  .Skua. 

056.  Larui  Ghnciin.     BrUnn. 

Biiroomaster. 
C57.  IjT.i-hs  Glawcitrfns.    Licht. 
Glaucous-winoed  Gull. 
058.  Laritu  Leuci'pteiuH.     FiiIrt. 

White-winced  Gull. 
659.   lAtruA  C/ialciipleriin.     Lawr. 

(i.'ay-winueo  Gull. 
Ol'i).  J.iirua  Miiiiiius.     Linn. 

Great  Bi.ack-iiackkii  (<ui.l. 

001.  Larua  Ar</i nlnliia.     BrUnn. 

IIerrino  Gull. 

002.  Lanm  Ocridentalis.     Aud. 

We.stern  Gull. 

003.  Lams  Ciilijoniicun.     Lawr. 

California  (Jull. 

004.  I.arus  hdauoreiiiiis.     Ord. 

l{|N(;-liii.LEii  Gull. 
('iG4a.   Larii.t  linirhiirl.iiurhus.     Rich. 
SiioRT-iiii.i.Ei)  Gull. 

005.  Larun  Siifhiii/i.     Lawr. 

Scckley'.s  (Ji  ll. 
000.  Ula.iijiiis  Jlecriiitinui.     Bonnp. 

White-headed  (Jull. 
CG7.    Chriiiriri-phnhis  Alririlla.     Linn. 

Lai'c.iiino  Gull. 
COJ*.   Cliroirocijihtilu.i  FiiiiikHiiii.  BrUnn. 

Franklin's  Kosy  (iui.i,. 
009.    C/iidifiirtpliiihin  Ctintlldlus,  BrUnn. 

llooiii.ii  Gill. 
C'O.    Chroinu-ijihuhin  I'hiladilphia. 

Bonaparte's  (iui.L. 
071.   CroicocfphaluH  Minntus.     Brncli 

Little  (Jull. 
672.   lUnaa  Tiidiidi/la.     Bonap. 
Kiitiwake  Gull. 

073.  Jt'iaia  Si)ili-nh  ii'iiiilia.     Lawr. 

North  Pacifk'  Kittiwakk. 

074.  lliana  Ihtrirn^ti  in.     Brandt. 

SiluHT-BILLEb  KlTTIWAKI. 


OATALOOUB  OP   NORTH    AMKllICAN   BIRDS.  xiii 


fl76,  Hi»»(i  Sivfii.     Hriioh. 

Yii.i.ow-nii.i.ci)  Oui.i,. 

670.  Payophita  Khumea.     Kaup. 

Ivory  (lui.i.. 
677.   Piujnphila  Itrafhiiliirii.     HUlb 

.SlIOKT-I.RIIllKII  (jIiii.i.. 
(')78.   Hhndonlithia  Itonen.     iliird. 

WHMIK-TAII.ED  OlILI,. 

079.   Crmijrni  FnicalHH.     Hmmp. 

SWAI.I.ItW-TAll.KD  (JULI,. 

t)80.  Aema  Snbinii.     Unniip. 

FORK-TAII.RD  (lUI.L. 

()81.  sterna  Arania.     Wils. 
Maknii  Tkkn. 

682.  Sterna  Caapiit.     I'lillas. 

Ca.stian  T«R^f. 

683.  Sterna  Itetjin.     Unmbol. 

liovAi.  Tehn. 

684.  Sterna  FAiujann.     (Juinbol. 

Kl.KdANT  Tf.hn. 

685.  Sterna  Amjlnvidn.     Cabot. 

Caiiot's  'I'rRN. 

086.  Sterna  llavelli.     Aud. 

IIavri.i.'h  Tbrn. 

087.  Sterna  Trudiaitii.     And. 

Trudkau's  Tern. 
68H.  Sterna  Fiili(/iniis<t.     Oin. 

Smtry  Tern. 
6H9.   Sterna  Mll.vmi.     Uoiiap. 

Wilson's  Tern. 
690.  Sterna  Afarrcurn.     Nnum. 

Arctic  Tern. 
601.  Sterna  For.ita-i.     Niitt. 
Kor^ter's  Tern. 
f.92.   Sterna  Farndinca      BiUnn. 

Roseate  Tern. 
691?.  Sfirna  Fikel.     Liiwr. 

Sl.RNDER-IlIM.EI)  TeRN. 

694.  Sterna  Fraialn.     (liinilu'l. 

Least  Tern. 

695.  nydriirhdiiliin  Vlumlun.     Wils. 

Siiorttaii.ki)  'I'ern. 

696.  Anou»  Stdtidim.     hoiich. 

Noddy  Tern. 

697.  lihijnrhi'ps  Xiijra.     I. inn. 

Hi.Ai'K  Skimmer. 

698.  C(d!/inlius  Tarqualus.     Brllnn, 

I400N. 

699.  C(ilt/mt)U.i  Arrticit.1.     Linn. 

Ui.ack-tiiroatei)  |)iver. 
7(K).    (Mjimlma  I'acijicnu.     Linn. 
Pacific  Diver. 

701.  Col;/mt>U!i  SqUentrianalis.     Linn. 

Kei>-tiiroatki)  Diver. 

702.  I'ldicnm  Orisnijena.     <Iray. 

ReD-NRCKED  (JREIIE. 

703.  Podicepn  Cri.italii.t.     Lath. 

Crested  (Ireiik. 
703a.   I'odireps  Cooperi.     Luwr. 
Cooper's  Orkbb. 


704.  Podicept  Occidenlalit.     Lawr. 

WcsTiRN  Urebb. 

705.  rodicfp»  ClarHi.     Lavrr. 

Clark'b  Orkiii. 

706.  Podir.epi  Curnutut.     Latham. 

lIuRNRD  Oreiii. 

707.  Pndicep.1  Cdliforuinis.    (leermann 

Oai.ieornia  (iHKnR. 

708.  Podicrpa  Aurilua.      Lalii. 

Kared  (Irkiik. 
708a.  Podifips  Diiminiru.i.     Lath. 

WlllTK-WINIiED  <iIkRIIR, 

709.  Podili/mtiua  I'cJiirpn.     Lawr 

Carolina  (jreiik. 

710.  AIra  Iniprnni.1.     Linn. 

(iREAT   AttK. 

711.  Alca  Tcrilii.     Linn. 

Ra/or-iiim.ed  Auk. 

712.  Mormon  Cirr/iiilti.     Honap.  ' 

Ttll'TEI.    I'UKflN. 

713.  Mormon  ('urniiuldla.     Naum. 

Horned  I'uefin. 

714.  Mormnn  (llacialis.     Lnach. 

Sea  1'akr  >t;   Puffin. 

715.  Mormon  Arctica.     Iliigor. 

Arctic  Puffin. 

716.  Saymntiirrhina  l,iil)rndoria.    Caa. 

Laiirador  Auk. 

717.  Ccrnrhiwi  Mnnomnta.     CaMin. 

Sea  lloRN-nii.i.. 

718.  Cernrliinn  SucLln/i.     CasHin. 

719.  Phaltris  ('ri.itdtellti.     Honap. 

<.'RERVED   Al'K. 

720.  I'hiih'iis  Ti/rarulii.     .Stpphons. 

DUSKI'    Al'K. 

721.  Phalrrin  Cdiiitsr/iulird.     C\  igin. 

Kamtxiiatkan  Auk. 

722.  Phalli  in  Mi<  inrcroi.     Itiandt. 

723.  Phitleria  Pimiltn.     Ciissin. 

Least  .\uk. 

724.  PliirluirhiiuiplniK  Alinfimx.     Brt. 

C\SSIn's  (illl.l.KMOT. 

725.  Ombria  Paittiicnlu.     KsohHch. 

Parrot  Auk. 
720.    Uria  Ori/lli'.     Li\tliuni. 

Hl.ACK  (lUII.I.EMOT. 

727.  Uria  Columlia.     Cjissin. 

Western  Guillemot. 

728.  Uria  C-vIm.     Hraiult. 

Crow  (Ii'illemot. 

729.  Uria  l.umvia.     BiUimicb. 

Foolish  Ciuillemot. 

730.  Uria  liin;/vi(i.     BrUnnich. 

MURRE. 

73L    Uria  Arra.     { Pallas). 

TlIICK-IIILI.ED  (iulLLEMOT. 

732.  lirachirhamphus  Marmnratus. 

>iAHilI.KI>  (juillemot. 

733.  Ihachj/rltamphus  Wruni/elii.     Br. 

WranUEL's  QuiLI.CHOT. 


1 

<      4 


XIV 


CATALOGUE  OF  NORTH   AMERICAN   BIRDS. 


734.  !raehi/rhamphu»  Braehypterus. 

SnuRT-WINOED  GUILI  ,  MOT. 

735.  Brarhi/rhamphus  Kitthtzii.    Br. 

KiTTLiTz's  Guillemot. 

736.  Brachyrkamphus  Antijnua.    Br. 

Anciknt  Al'K. 


737.  Bracht/rhamphus  Tetnminckii.    Br. 

Tbmhinck's  Guillemot, 

738.  Mergulus  Alle.     A'ieillut. 

SsA  Duvic. 


ALPHABETICAL    INDEX 


«r 


GENERA   OF    BIRDS. 


{tta  RDMBnu  ARi  Tnosi  or  ini  mer  gpiao  iiiktiumxd  id  toi  catalooui.) 


Acclplter, 
Autiluru*, 
Actiiilromui, 
AtliiniHfltor, 

Al'|[iKl<'ll>, 

Ariiiiilitii, 

AoKiothiiii, 

Af^Hlrolata, 

Ak<'Iu>>»i 

Aix. 

Alia, 

Aniinodrnnius, 

Aiiitielifl, 

AriKH, 

AiHirtliura, 

Anmii, 

A  nK««r, 

Anthill, 

Anlroxlomua, 

Aplirir^, 

Apnlinptuni 

Aqnilu, 

AlMIIIIIS 

Ar.lnu. 

Anl.-ltn, 

Arcliilpuico, 

Arilcnttn, 

ArqiiatcIIil, 

AKtniKiilliiui, 

Anliir. 

Atiliii'lna, 

Allii'iie, 

Althi'i. 

Aui)iilH)nta, 

Aylliya, 


Haallrutiiruii, 

llitlhinliluriia, 

llf'iiili'ln, 

ItlnHipilM, 

Hitiiiwa. 

It'itiiiinin, 

llrui  livotii*. 

Dritrliyrlmmphui, 

Uubu, 


I  Bncephala, 
|Bnlo<>, 
16  Uiituridoa, 
M5 

Wl 

flftl 

607 

604 '.  Calamnnpiza, 

320  CaliilriH, 

Km  Cullipi'pla, 

401  ,CHnipi'|>lillus, 

687  1  rauiptnlHMlltIA, 

710 .  CninpylorhyiiL-hiia. 
841  ^riirclnllina, 
*Jii'2  Cardltuilis, 
67fi  Carp*«lacu8| 
27:1   Caliii'HCtes, 
6»A   Cntlinrti'il, 
61.3   Cnllicipid, 
116   Ccntrorcrcua, 
111    (;»;Mlr"n>'X, 
611    Ceii1r<';>liHiioa, 
T.M  Ceiiluiuif, 
:UI  Ororliiiia, 
4W   Ccrthin, 
4«7   (Vitliidia, 
4al    IVrjli'. 
:io  Cliirtura, 
A47  I  Chaiiiii'il, 
6'.'S  Jchiuiiirpplla. 
(il3 :  CtiarHtlrluN, 
11   Diaiilelaamus, 
ail  Choii, 
6t*   Chi^nali»ppx, 
IIIA  riilot'pliaiia, 
4Ktl  CliionwKrjlo, 
6ttl    Choiul'-nl'^H, 

'"horiU'iU'H. 

^■''riilwKN'plialug, 

l.itrynotnttri*, 

rtruroniaf 

(in- us, 
121  .('iKi'iiliorua, 
5«7   ( •M<-vKii«, 
««,!  ('.ilapti'a, 
';fi6,l'.illvHo, 
49'i[('<'liiml>a, 
6'i  (MynilMia, 
73'i  U'niiliipiia, 
48|l'<iuurua, 


377 

6.14 

47  « 

72 


893  CorTtid, 
18   Coturnicopa, 
4S3  Cotiirniculua, 

Colylo, 

Craxirex, 

Creagriis, 

Cr*.clBcuB, 

Crex, 

Criitophaga, 

Ciipiiloiiia, 

Ciirvirostra, 
600   OyaiKKilta, 
2tt2  CyanttMpiza, 
210  J  Cyaniira, 
81)0  tlygnua, 
S06   Cyrtoiiyx, 
729  Cyrtupelicanua, 

1 
2fl:i 
4H2 
3.11 
326 
Ul 
717 
275 
301 
117 


Dafila, 

Daplinn, 

P'»iiii*'Krptta, 

DciuIrocyKnai 

Oi'iiilriiica, 

l>i(ini<Ml(>a, 


109  I  ILiliclionyx, 


274 
4M 
60.1 
684 
6C3 
710 

67  ;i 

118 
344 
114 

6(17 
310 

722 

an 

2Ci8 

m 

BO 
KIA 
446 

608   Falrliivlliia, 
137  I  Jal.-o, 

6S :  t'lurida, 


DyBporua, 


Kctoplatea, 

KluniiH, 

K'ul'tfrnagra, 

Kinpidoimx, 

Krtmiopliilai 

Krpwiii-tfM, 

Kriamatura, 

Kndia, 

KupMuiiia, 

Kuvpi/.Uf 


423 
667 
33S 
220 
46 
679 

6riH 

65S 
66 
464 
31N 
467 
383 
434 
661 
477 
616 


67  « 

48 

674 

189 

630 

399 

399 


448 

873 
140 
802 
636 
609 
629 
22  ( 
378 


Prafomila, 
KrcRotta, 

Fiilica, 
Fulix, 
FulmaruB, 


Gall[na(];n, 

(iiillinnia, 

(liuiitx'tta, 

(Jarzftta, 

ttcniiiiiii, 

UciH'oc^-yx, 

(lentlilypia,    • 

(■liiiiciiliuut, 

tlloltia, 

tloniaphoa, 

(Irnculita, 

Uriia, 

•  luiraca, 

Gyuiuukitta, 


H. 

llaontatopua, 

llaliHt.lua, 

llaietda, 

llarpoi'hynCiillB, 

Hi'lniintihiplmga, 

Ht.jnnlhoruB, 

IIrI<ttipJ7a, 

llerodiuH, 

llepperiphona, 

Mcterca.'t'lua, 

Uiorufrtlrd, 

ni[nant(tpu8i 

llinindtt, 

IIIatrionicuB, 

llydnitiata, 

Hydrorljflidon, 

llyl«t;)iniiH, 

llyputrltirclila, 


600 

6 

49V 


Ibia, 


T18 

040 
661 
688 
63S 


628 

660 

639 

486 

10 

68 

170 

60 

6.38 

380 

6-20 

478 

380 

431 


613 

40 

697 

2.^6 

180 

178 

308 

486 

803 

643 

11 

£18 

226 

606 

164 

696 

90 

T 


4B8 


(") 


-■|^*^ 


l     ■ 

■i' 


:J^I^ 


I    • 


XVI 


Icteris, 
Ictorua, 
Irtlnia, 
Ixurouf. 


Junco, 


J. 


It. 

Lagopiia, 

IfKinpornlR, 

Ijitnproiietta, 

LHiiiiviriH), 

l.urnH, 

[.••ucoblpplmron, 

l.oiicoparpia, 

l.iMK-dpoliiis, 

Lfliiritpternia, 

Leiicofiticte, 

LimoHa, 

LobipcA, 

l,opluHlytOfl, 

Lophup'hiuiea, 

IiO|>liortyx, 

Luuda, 


Macrorhampliui, 

Mareca, 

Mitlanprpofl, 

Mcluiu-tla, 

MeleagrfK, 

Molopeiia, 

MolospiKa, 

Mer^tia, 

Micropiilama, 

Milvulns, 

Miinufl, 

Miiivlilta, 

Motothrufl, 

Mumutua, 

Mormon, 

Myiadentr*, 

Myjarrliui, 

)tyUHlioct««, 


Naiiclnrua, 

NectriH, 

Networya, 

i^ftphoncctM, 

Nnltion, 

Nuineniaa, 

Nyctale, 

Nfctiardek, 


INDEX    OF    GENERA    OF    BIRDS. 


176 

408 
36 
106 


360 


467 
100 

m> 
eiifi 

5li7 
67 'J 
6lilt 
•21 
32a 
548 
6.!0 
Hi:l 
2H6 
474 
712 


624 
6S'i 
94 
COl 
467 
460 
S>>3 
flU 

7;is 
(ill 

!,-M 
122 

2,'.;i 

lti7 
400 
119 
712 
231 
130 
211 


34 

64« 
liM 
108 
679 
649 
65 
4«6 


Nyclea, 

^yl'therodlull, 

NyctiUromua, 


Oreai  ftM, 

Ocertiio'lroma, 

(k-hthndromua, 

Oidomia, 

Olor, 

Omiiria, 

(tnocrotalus, 

Opiirornis, 

Oroopfh'la, 

Orcftrtyx, 

Or«M>pcoptM, 

Ortalitla, 

(irtyx, 

OHHifnigiiB, 

Otiia, 

Oxyccbna, 


Pachyrhaniphua, 

I'lifTtiphila, 

Pundion, 

I'aiiyptila, 

I'limla, 

rMrt>i<lpB, 

rartia, 

pHHM'rruIitB, 

Paapfrc'lta, 

rhtafiioonaa, 

I'flicaniiB, 

IVIitinc'tIa, 

PoriHoroiis, 

I'eiirapa, 

Pliatacrocnraz, 

PhnopuB, 

I'hnMi.n, 

PtiiilaroptiB, 

PhaltrlB, 

Phainopc'pla, 

PhilnmHchufl, 

PIiHoIk-Ib, 

PhcvtiaHtrla, 

liia'lx'tria, 

I'hfiiiicoptpruB, 

PhruiiopiciiB, 

Plea, 

PlricorruB, 

Plrolilea, 

PiniB. 

Piiiii'iila, 

ripllii. 

PJant'BtiniB, 

rtfcIropbuuM, 

PtolllB, 

PoUic4>p0, 


61 

496 

llGa 


644 
640 
6011 
604 
6fi) 
728 
filH 
174 
464 
473 
266 
466 
471 
634 
61 
604 


120 
676 

44 
107 
1I-.8 
3IKI 
2S9 
332 
374 
447 
4Wl 
616 
602 
443 
370 
820 
660 
629 
619 
719 
214 
644 
623 
631 
ft:i3 
502 

SO 
432 
430 

82 
74 
304 
3U1 
IS6 
326 
628 
70-i 


PodyllmhiiB, 

PowiloptornlB, 

Poliuptila, 

Polylif>iiifl, 

Polyaticla, 

PooiM'etes, 

Pnoffpi7.a, 

Porphyrula, 

I'orziina, 

Pioroltaria, 

Progno, 

Protonnlaria^ 

Paaltripiinis, 

INilorhiinifl, 

Ptychurhuniphiis, 

!*ufflnii«, 

Pyr.inda, 

Pyrihiiloxia, 

Pyrorcplialus, 


Qnorqnodnlft, 
QiitacaluB, 


R. 

ItalliiB, 

KtTurviroBtra, 

Kt>KiilnB, 

li)i(Hli>(«t(>t))ia, 

IthyH<'Op)iiliiit, 

Khyiirliipphuiit'H, 

Rhy'M'liopB, 

lil>  .nchupBitta, 

Hi  'Ma, 

KoithramiiB, 


B. 

.■'aitinatortilDa, 

Hrtlpitit'teB, 

Saxicota, 

Say<T!its, 

ScanlnWIa, 

Schooniilnfl, 

B4-olccophagtif, 

FropB, 

SpiiiruB, 

S('la?<phoriifl, 

S<>(i.pha(!a, 

Sialia, 

Ciiivrliyriihiis, 

tSitla. 

Sonialoria, 

Spatula, 

i»p(*rn»ophlla, 

i'iphyropicufl, 

Spizi'lla, 

Squalarola, 

Starnoeiuu, 


709 
23 
288 
46 
698 
337 
366 
661 
666 
634 
231 
169 
297 
444 
724 
647 
220 
SS9 
147 


581 
41U 


662 
617 
lltl 
678 
641 

mo 

697 
64 

672 
37 


716 
264 
l,'i7 
l:i4 
462 
630 
417 
49 
186 
103 
217 
168 
719 
277 
fl(« 
68:< 

388 
86 
367 
610 
466 


RtoRHnopna, 

Sliirrorarius, 

Sterna, 

Stn'pKilaa, 

SIrix, 

Htiirnclla, 

.Siila, 

Surnia, 

SynipliemlH, 

8ynllilll)orh«mphuB,   736 

Syruium,  53 


(It 

662 
681 
616 

47 
406 
617 

62 
637 


T. 

TarhypptPB, 

Tarliyiriori-hls, 

THiitalnti, 

Ti'lmaliHiytcs, 

Tclrao, 

Tlialaaaarclin, 

ThalaaMlilrnma, 

TlialntiHoira, 

TliriothornB, 

TInniinruluB, 

TrirhopiciiB, 

Trinna. 

Trinnoiilcfl, 

TroriiiluB, 

Tri.gloilytoB, 

TroKnn, 

TriipiallB, 

TrynpitcB, 

TiirthiH, 

TylorhamphUB, 

TyrannuB, 


u. 


ITrla, 
ItIIi-, 
Ulamanla, 


VIrpo, 
VireoBylra, 


X. 

XantlincpphaluB, 
Xantiionra, 
Xfnia. 
.Xomiplciia, 


Z. 

Zpnafda, 

'/.i-itaidiira, 

SUjsiotrlchia, 


619 
29 
4»7 
268 
4,69 
1:32 
640 
637 
2t'* 
13 
74 
626 
643 
101 
270 
66 
406 
646 
148 
720 
124 


726 
626 
7a 


S44 
240 


404 

442 

680 

81 


449 
461 
846 


INTRODUCTION. 


Ik  the  commencement  of  a  work  of  such  magnitude,  and  so  novel  in 
this  country,  some  account  will  necessarily  be  expected  of  the  motives 
of  the  author,  and  of  the  nature  and  intended  execution  of  the  work. 
As  to  the  former  of  these,  it  is  respectfully  submitted,  that,  amusement 
blended  with  instruction,  the  correction  of  numerous  errors  which  have 
been  introduced  into  this  part  of  the  natural  history  of  our  country, 
and  a  wish  to  draw  the  attention  of  my  fellow-citizens,  occasionally, 
from  the  discordant  jarrings  of  politics,  to  a  contemplation  of  the  gran- 
deur, harmony,  and  wonderful  variety  of  Nature,  exhibited  in  this 
beautiful  portion  of  the  animal  creation,  are  my  principal,  and  almost 
only,  motives,  in  the  present  undertaking.  I  will  not  deny  that  there 
may  also  be  other  incitements.  Biassed,  almost  from  infancy,  by  a 
fondness  for  birds,  and  little  less  than  an  enthusiast  in  my  researches 
after  them,  I  feel  happy  to  communicate  my  observations  to  others, 
probably  from  the  mere  principle  of  self-gratification,  that  source  of  so 
many  even  of  our  most  virtuous  actions ;  but  I  candidly  declare,  that 
lucrative  views  have  nothing  to  do  in  the  business.  In  all  my  wild-wood 
rambles  fheiie  never  were  sufficient  eithor  to  allure  me  to  a  single  excursion, 
to  discourage  me  from  one,  or  to  engage  my  pen  or  pencil  in  the  present 
publication.  My  hopes  on  this  head  are  humble  enough  ;  I  ask  only 
support  equal  to  my  merits,  and  to  the  laudability  of  my  intentions.  I 
expect  no  more  ;  I  am  not  altogether  certain  even  of  this.  h\.:*  leaving 
the  issue  of  these  matters  to  futurity,  I  shall,  in  the  meantime,  comfort 
myself  with  the  good  old  ailage  :  "  Happy  are  they  who  expect  nothing, 
for  they  shall  not  be  disnppointed." 

As  to  the  nature  of  the  work,  it  is  intended  to  comprehend  a  descrip- 
tion and  representation  of  every  species  of  our  native  birds,  from  the 
shores  of  the  St.  Lawrence  to  tlie  mouths  of  the  Mississippi,  and  from  the 
Atlantic  Ocean  to  the  interior  of  Louisiana  :  these  will  be  engraved  in  a 
style  superior  to  any  thing  of  flie  kind  hitherto  published  ;  and  colored 
from  nature  with  the  most  scrupulous  adherence  to  the  true  tints  of  the 
original. 

The  bare  account  of  scientific  names,  color  of  bills,  claws,  feathers, 
Ac,  woulil  form  but  a  dry  detail  ;  neither,  in  a  publication  of  the  present 
kind,  where  every  species  is  faitlifuliy  figured  and  colored,  is  a  long 

Vol.  I  -I 


1     <   J   r  '        1 


2  INTRODUCTION. 

and  miiiuto  description  of  the  form,  and  feathers,  absolutely  necessary. 
This  would,  in  the  opinion  of  some,  bo  like  introducing  a  gentleman  to 

company,  with  "  ladies  and  gentlemen,  Mr.  .     lie  has  on  a  blue 

coat — white  pantaloons — hussar'boots,"  &c.,  &c.,  while  a  single  glance  of 
eye,  over  the  person  himself,  told  us  all  this  b^^fore  the  orator  had  time 
to  open  his  mouth ;  so  infinitely  more  rapidly  do  ideas  reach  us  through 
the  medium  of  the  eye,  than  by  that  of  the  ear.  But  as  time  may  prey 
on  the  best  of  colors,  what  is  necessary  in  this  respect  will  by  no  means 
be  omitted,  that  tlio  figures  and  descriptions  may  mutually  corroborate 
each  other.  It  is  also  my  design  to  enter  more  largely  than  usual  into 
the  manners  and  disposition  of  each  respective  species ;  to  become,  as  it 
were,  their  faithful  biographer,  ami  to  delineate  their  various  peculiari- 
ties, in  character,  song,  building,  economy,  &,c.,  as  far  as  my  own  obser- 
vations have  extended,  or  the  kindness  of  others  may  furnish  nio  with 
materials. 

The  Ornithoi.ooy  of  the  United  States  exhibits  a  rich  display  of  the 
most  splendid  colors,  from  the  green,  silk}',  gold-bespangled  down  of 
the  minute  Humming-bird,  scarce  three  inchc!!  in  extent,  to  the  black 
coppery  wings  of  the  gloomy  Condor,  of  sixteen  feet,  who  sometimes 
visits  our  northern  regions — a  numerous  and  powerful  band  of  songsters, 
that  for  sweetness,  variety,  and  melody,  are  surpassed  by  no  country  on 
earth — an  ever-changing  scene  of  migration,  from  torrid  to  temperate 
and  from  northern  to  southern  regions,  in  quest  of  suitable  seasons, 
food,  and  climate  ;  and  such  nn  amazing  diversity  in  habit,  economy, 
form,  disposition  and  faculties,  so  uniformly  hereditary  in  each  species, 
and  so  completely  adequate  to  their  peculiar  wants  and  convenience,  as 
to  overwhelm  us  with  astonishment  at  the  power,  wisdom  and  beneficence 
of  the  Creator ! 

In  proportion  a,s  we  become  acquainted  with  these  particulars,  our 
visits  to,  and  residence  in  the  country,  become  more  and  more  agreeable. 
Formerly,  on  such  occasions,  wo  found  ourselves  in  solitude,  or  with 
respect  to  the  fi'athered  tribos,  as  if  it  wi-re  in  a  strange  country,  where 
the  manners,  language  and  faces  of  all  were  eitiifr  totally  overlooki-d, 
or  utterly  unknown  to  ua:  now,  wo  find  ourselves  among  interesting  and 
well-known  neighbors  and  acquaintance;  and,  in  the  notes  of  every 
songster,  recognise  with  satiMfa(;tion  the  voice  of  an  old  friend  and  com- 
panion. A  study  thus  tending  to  multiply  our  enjoyments  at  so  cheap 
a  rate,  and  to  lead  us,  by  such  pleasing  gradations,  to  the  contemplation 
and  worship  of  the  Great  Firnt  Cause,  the  Father  and  Preserver  of  all, 
can  neither  be  idle  nor  useless,  but  is  worthy  of  rational  Oeings,  and 
doubtless  agreeable  to  tlie  Deity. 

In  order  to  attain  a  more  perfect  knowledge  of  birds,  naturalists  have 
dividctl  them  into  orders,  genera,  species,  and  varieties ;  but  in  doing 
this,  scarcely  two  have  agreed  on  the  same  mode  of  arrangement,  and 


i  w 


INTRODUCTION. 


8 


our 
il)lo. 
Avith 

KTO 

)kc(l, 
and 

■very 
•oni- 
leap 

Ltillll 

all. 
and 

iiavo 
i.ing 
mid 


this  has  indeed  proved  a  source  ot  great  perplexity  to  the  student. 
Some  have  increased  the  number  of  orders  to  an  unnecessary  extent, 
multiplied  the  genera,  and,  out  of  mere  varieties,  produced  what  they 
supposed  to  be  entire  new  species.  Others,  sensible  of  the  impropriety 
of  this,  and  -wishing  to  simplify  the  science,  as  much  as  possible,  have 
reduced  the  orders  and  genera  to  a  few,  and  have  thus  thrown  birds, 
whose  food,  habits  and  other  characteristical  features  are  widely  diflFer- 
oiit,  into  one  and  the  same  tribe,  and  thereby  confounded  our  perception 
of  that  beautiful  gradation  of  affinity  and  resemblance,  whic!"  Nature 
herself  seems  to  have  been  studious  of  preserving  throughout  the  whole. 
One  principal  cause  of  the  great  diversity  of  classifications,  appears  to 
be  owing  to  the  neglect,  or  want  of  opportunity,  in  these  writers,  of 
observing  the  manners  of  the  living  birds,  in  their  unconfined  state,  and 
in  their  native  countries.  As  well  might  philosophers  attempt  to  class 
mankind  into  their  respective  rclujioiis  denominations,  by  a  mere  exami- 
nation of  their  physiognomy,  as  naturalists  to  form  a  correct  arrange- 
ment of  animals,  without  a  knowledge  of  these  necessary  particulars. 

It  is  only  by  personal  intimacy  that  we  can  truly  ascertain  the  char- 
acter of  either,  more  particularly  that  of  the  feathered  race;  noting 
their  particular  haunts,  modes  of  constructing  their  nests,  manner  of 
flight,  seasons  of  migration,  favorite  food,  and  numberless  other  minu- 
tiae, which  can  only  be  obtained  by  frequent  excursions  in  the  woods 
and  fields,  along  lakes,  shores  and  rivers ;  and  require  a  degree  of  pa- 
tience and  perseverance  which  nothing  but  an  enthusiastic  fondness  for 
the  pursuit  can  inspire.  * 

Of  the  numerous  systems  which  have  been  adopted  by  different  wri- 
ters, tliat  published  by  Dr.  Latham,  in  his  "Index  Ornithologicus,"  and 
"General  Synopsis  of  liirds,"  seems  the  least  su'oject  to  the  objections 
above-mentioned  ;  an<l  as,  in  particularizing  the  order,  genus,  &c.,  to 
which  each  bird  lielongs,  this  system,  with  some  necessary  exceptions, 
has  been  (/enerall//  followed  in  the  present  work,  it  is  judged  proper  to 
intrdduce  it  here,  for  the  information,  and  occasional  consultation  of  the 
reader. 

T  A  B  T.  E 

0^  THE  ORDERS  AND  GENERA  OF  BIRDS, 

ACCOUDINCI  TO  LATHAM. 


Iiidrr  Oru-ilJioln.jiru.t. 
AVIUM  OHDINKS. 
DIV.  I. 
I.  Accipitrea, 
11.  Pic*, 

III.  Pa»gereg, 

IV.  CoIumbcBf 


i^yiwp.'iii)  of  Birds. 

OKDERS  OF  BIKDS. 

DIV.  I. 

Rapacious. 

Pies. 

Passerine. 
Columbine. 


INTRODUCTION. 


,!    i 


■ «  f  £  VV 


"  I 


M  V: 


J7tdex  Omithologicus. 

V.   Oallinoe, 
VI.  Struthionea, 

DIV.  II. 

VII.  arallce. 
VIII.  Pinnattpedea, 
IX.  Palmipedca, 

AVIUM  GENERA. 

DIV.  I. 
A  VKS  TEIiRESTRES, 

ORDO  r. 
ACCIPITRES. 

1.  Vultur, 

2.  i'a/eo, 

3.  Strix, 

ORDO  11. 

PIC^. 

4.  Laniua, 

6.  Psittachua, 

6.  Ilamphaatoa, 

7.  Momotua, 

8.  Scythropa, 

9.  Buceroa, 

10.  Buphaga, 

11.  Orotophaga, 

11.  *Musophaga, 

12.  Calhraa, 

1 3.  Con'tia, 

14.  Coraciaa, 
1.5.   Oriolua, 

16.  Gracula, 

17.  Paradiacea, 

18.  Trogon, 

19.  liucco, 

20.  Cuculua, 

21.  F»/?i^», 

22.  /'i^Mj*, 

23.  Gnlhula, 

24.  yl/*T^(/o, 

25.  ,SV«(T, 

26.  Trx/wa, 

27.  Mrropa, 

28.  r^;>Mjt>a, 


Synopsts  of  Birdt. 
Gallinaceous. 
Struthious. 

DIV.  H. 
Waders. 
Pinnated  feet. 
Web-footod. 

GENERA  OF  BIRDS. 
DIV.  I. 
i^JVi>  BIRDS. 

ORDER   I. 
RAPACIOUS. 

Vulture. 

Falcon. 

Owl. 

ORDKR  II. 

PIES. 
Shriite. 
Parrot. 

Toucan. 

Motmot. 

Channel-bill. 

Hornbill. 

Beef-eater. 

Ani. 

Plantain-eater. 

Wattle-bird. 

Crow. 

Roller. 

Oriole. 

Grakle. 

Paradise-bird. 

Curucui. 

Barbet. 

Cuckoo. 

Wryneck. 

Woodpecker. 

Jacanmr. 

Kiiipfishor. 

Nuthatch. 

Tody. 

Bee-eater. 

Hoopoe. 


INTRODUCTION. 


Index  Oi-niihologicua. 

29. 

Certhia, 

80. 

TrochiluBf       ^ 

ORDO  III. 

PASSEHES. 

81. 

Stumu»y 

82. 

Turdus, 

33. 

Ampelii, 

34. 

Colius, 

85. 

Loxia, 

36. 

Emheriza, 

37. 

Tanagra, 

38. 

Fringilla, 

39. 

PJ^totoma, 

40. 

Musckapa, 

41. 

Alauda, 

42. 

Motacilla, 

43. 

Sylvia, 

44. 

Pipra, 

45. 

Parus, 

46. 

Hirundo, 

47. 

Caprimulg'U9f 

OKDO  IV. 

COLUMBiE. 

48. 

Columha, 

ORDO  V. 

GALLING. 

49, 

Pavo, 

50. 

Meleagris, 

51. 

Penelope, 

62. 

Numida, 

58. 

Cfrax, 

53. 

*3tenura, 

54. 

Phamajius, 

55. 

Tinamus, 

66. 

Tetrao, 

57. 

Perdix, 

58 

Paophia, 

59. 

Otis, 

ORDO  vr. 

STIIUTHIONES. 

60 

Didus, 

61 

Slruthio, 

Synopsis  of  Birds, 
Creeper. 
Humming-bird. 

ORDER  III. 
PASSEKINB. 
Starling. 
Thrush. 
Chatterer. 
.    Coly. 
Grosbeak. 
Bunting. 
Tanager. 
Finch. 
Plant-cutter. 
Flycatcher. 
Lark. 
Wagtail. 
Warbler. 
Manakin. 
Titmouse. 
Swallow. 
Goatsucker. 

ORDKR  IV. 
COLUMBINE. 

Pigeon. 

ORDER  V. 
GALLINACEOUS. 
Peacock. 
Turkey. 
Guan. 
Pintado. 
Curassow. 
Monura. 
Pheasant. 
Tinamou. 
Grouse. 
Partridge. 
Trumpeter. 
Bustard. 

ORDER  VI. 
STIIUTHIOUS. 
Dodo. 
African  Ostrich. 


'  »¥i^'.: 


INTRODUCTION. 


!  .' 


Index  Omithologicua, 

62 

Caauariua. 

63 

Bhea, 

DIV.  II. 

AVES  AQUATICJE. 

OKDO  VII. 

ORALLY. 

64. 

J'latalea, 

65. 

Palamedea, 

m. 

Myctcria, 

67. 

Vancromaf 

68. 

Scopus, 

69. 

Ardea, 

70. 

Tantalus, 

71. 

Numenius, 

72. 

Scolopax, 

73. 

Tringa, 

74. 

Charadriut, 

75. 

Cursorius, 

76. 

IhrmatopuM, 

77. 

Glareola, 

78. 

Itallus, 

79. 

Parra, 

79. 

*Cereopsis, 

80. 

GalUnula, 

81. 

Vaginalis, 

ORDO  VIII. 

PINNATIPEDES. 

82. 

ritalaropus. 

83. 

Fulica, 

84. 

Podiceps, 

ORDO  IX. 

1 

I'ALMIPEDKS. 

t 

Pedilnis  longioribus, 

85. 

liecurvirostra, 

86. 

Currira, 

87. 

Pkaenicopterus, 

tt 

J'i'ililius  brcvioribus. 

88. 

JJiouiedea, 

89. 

A  lea, 

90. 

Uria, 

91. 

C'jh/mhus, 

92. 

Ilynchops, 

Synopsi*  of  IlinU. 
Cassowary. 
American  Ostrich. 

DIV.  II. 

WATER  BIRDS. 

ORDER  VII. 

WADERS. 

Spoonbill. 

Screamer. 

Jabiru. 

Boatbill. 

Umbre. 

Heron. 

Ibis.  ^ 

Curlew. 

Snipe. 

Sandpiper. 

Plover. 

Courser. 

Oyster-catcher. 

Prantincole. 

Rail. 

Jacana. 

Coreopsis. 

Galliimlc. 

Sheath-bill. 

ORDKR  VIII. 
PINNATED  FEET. 

I'liiilaropc. 

Coot. 

Grebe. 

ORKKU  IX. 
WEB- FOOTED. 

t  With  long  legs. 

Avocet. 

Courier. 

Flamingo. 

It  With  short  legs. 

Albatross. 

Auk. 

Guillemot. 

Diver. 

Skimmer. 


4 


lifH  ' 


'W'W 


INTRODUCTION. 


Index  OrnUhologicui, 
98.  Stemoy 

94.  Lartu, 

95.  Procellaria, 

96.  Merguiy 

97.  Anat, 

98.  Aptenodytes, 

99.  Pelicanu9, 

100.  Phaeton, 

101.  P/o<w», 


Synoptit  qf  Birdt. 
Tern. 
Gull. 
Petrel. 
Merganser. 
Duck. 
Penguin. 
Pelican.  ' 

Tropic-bird. 
Darter. 


K    i*' 


It  may  probably  bo  expected,  tbat,  iii  a  publication  of  this  kind,  we 
should  commence  with  the  order  Accipitres,  and  proceed,  regularly, 
through  the  difiFerent  orders  and  genera,  according  to  the  particular  sys- 
tem adopted.     This,  however  desirable,  is  in  the  present  case  altogether 
impracticable ;  unless,  indeed,  wo  possessed  living  specimens,  or  draw- 
ings, of  every  particular  species  to  be  described ;  an  acquisition  which 
no  private  individual,  nor  public  museum  in  the  world,  can,  as  yet,  boast 
of.     This  work  is  not  intended  to  be  a  mere  compilation  from  books, 
with  figures  taken  from  stuffed  and  dried  birds,  which  would  be  but  a 
sorry  compliment  to  the  science ;  but  a  transcript  from  living  Nature, 
embracing  the  whole  Ornithology  of  the  United  States ;  and  as  it  is 
liighly  probable  that  numerous  species,  at  present  entirely  unknown, 
would  come  into  our  possession  long  after  that  part  of  the  work  appro- 
priated for  the  particular  genera  to  which  they  belonged  had  been  fin- 
ished, and  thereby  interrupt,  in  spite  of  every  exertion,  the  regularity 
of  the  above  arrangement,  or  oblige  us  to  omit  them  altogether :  con- 
sidering these  circumstances,  and  that  during  the  number  of  years  which 
the  completion  of  the  present  work  will  necessarily  occupy,  the  best 
opportunities  will  be   afforded,  and  every  endeavor  used,  to  procure 
drawings  of  the  whole,  a  different  mode  has  been  adopted,  us  being  more 
agreeably  diversified,  ecjually  illustrative  of  the  science,  and  perfectly 
practicable ;  whioli  the  other  is  not.     The  birds  will,  therefore,  appear 
witliout  regard  to  generical  arrangement ;  but  the  order,  genus,  &c.,  of 
each  will  bo  particularly  noted ;  and  a  complete  Index  added  to  the 
wiiole,  in  which  every  species  will  be  arranged  in  systematic  order,  with 
reference  to  the  volume,  page,  and  plate,  where  each  figure  and  descrip- 
tion may  be  instantly  found. 

From  the  great  expense  of  engravings  executed  by  artists  of  estab- 
lisiied  reputation,  many  of  those  who  liave  published  works  of  this  kind, 
have  had  recourse  to  their  own  ingenuity  in  etching  their  plates ;  but, 
however  honorable  tliis  might  have  been  to  their  industry,  it  has  been 
injurious  to  the  effect  intended  to  be  j)roduced  by  tlie  figures ;  since  the 
point,  alone,  is  not  sufficient  to  produce  a  finished  engraving ;  and  many 


'{ <■] 


8 


INTKODUCTION. 


years  of  application  aro  necessary  to  enable  a  person,  wliatovor  may  bo 
his  talents  or  diligence,  to  handle  the  graver  with  the  facility  and  efl'ect 
of  the  pencil ;  while  the  time,  thus  consumed,  might  bo  more  advanta- 
geously employed  in  finishing  drawings,  and  collecting  facts  for  the  de- 
scriptive parts,  which  is  the  proper  province  of  the  Ornithologist.  Every 
person  who  is  acquainted  with  the  extremo  accuracy  of  eminent  engra- 
vers, must  likewise  be  sensible  of  the  advantage  of  having  the  imper- 
fections of  the  pencil  corrected  by  the  excellence  of  the  graver.  Every 
improvement  of  this  kind  the  author  has  studiously  availed  himself  of; 
and  has  frequently  furnished  the  artist  with  the  living  or  newly-killed 
fiubject  itself  to  assist  his  ideas. 

In  coloring  the  impressions,  the  same  scrupulous  attention  has  been 
paid  to  imitate  the  true  tints  of  the  original.  The  greatest  number  of  the 
descriptions)  particularly  those  of  the  nests,  eggs,  and  plumage,  have  been 
written  in  the  woods,  with  the  subjects  in  view,  leaving  as  little  as  possi- 
ble to  the  lapse  of  recollection  :  as  to  what  relates  to  the  manners, 
habits,  &c.,  of  the  birds,  the  j)articu]ttrs  on  these  heads  are  the  result  of 
personal  observation,  from  memoranda  taken  on  the  spot ;  if  they  differ, 
as  they  will  in  many  points,  from  former  accounts,  this  at  least  can  bo 
said  in  their  behalf,  that  a  single  fact  has  not  been  advanced  which  the 
writer  was  not  himself  witness  to,  or  received  from  those  on  whose  judg- 
ment and  veracity  he  believed  reliance  could  be  placed.  When  his  own 
stock  of  observations  hius  been  exhausted,  and  not  till  then,  he  has  bad 
recourse  to  what  others  have  said  on  the  same  subject,  and  all  the  most 
res|)oetable  performances  of  a  similar  nature  have  been  consulted,  to 
whieii  access  could  be  obtained ;  not  neglecting  the  labors  of  bis  prede- 
cessors in  this  particular  path,  Messrs.  Catesby  and  Edwards,  whoso 
memories  he  truly  respects.  But,  a.s  a  sacred  regard  to  truth  requires 
that  the  errors  or  inadvertencies  of  these  authors,  iis  well  as  of  others, 
should  be  noticed,  and  corrected,  let  it  not  be  i  nputed  to  unworthy 
motives,  but  to  its  true  cause,  a  zeal  for  the  promotion  of  that  science, 
in  which  these-  gentlemen  so  much  delighted,  and  for  which  they  have 
done  80  much. 

From  the  writers  of  our  own  country  the  author  has  derived  but  little 
advantage.  The  first  considerable  list  of  our  birds  was  published  in 
1787,  by  Mr.  Jefferson,  in  his  celebrated  "  Notes  on  Virginia,"  and  con- 
tains the  names  of  one  hundred  and  nine  species,  with  the  designations  of 
Liniia;us  and  Catesby,  and  references  to  IJulTon.  The  next,  and  by  far 
the  most  complete  that  has  yet  appeared,  wius  published  in  1791,  by 
Mr.  William  JJartram,  in  his  "  Travels  through  North  and  South  Caro- 
lina," &c.,  in  which  two  hundred  and  fifteen  different  species  are  enunitv 
rated,  and  concise  descriptions  and  characteristics  of  each  added,  in  Latin 
and  English.  Dr.  Barton,  in  his  "  Fragments  of  the  Natural  History  of 
Pennsylvania,"  has  favored  us  with  a  number  of  remarks  on  this  sub- 


INTRODUCTION. 


0 


joct;  and  Dr.  Bulknap,  in  his  "  IIi.>*tory  uf  New  IlainpHhiro,"  as  woll  as 
Dr.  WilliainH,  in  that  of  Vermont,  have  each  enumerated  a  few  of  our 
birds.  But  these,  from  the  nature  of  the  publications  in  which  they 
have  been  introduced,  can  bo  considered  only  as  catalogues  of  names, 
without  the  detail  of  specific  particulars,  or  the  figure<i  and  colored 
representations  of  the  birds  themselves.  This  task,  the  hardest  of  all,  has 
been  reserved  for  one  of  far  inferior  abilities,  but  not  of  less  zeal.  With 
the  example  of  many  solitary  individuals,  in  other  countries,  who  have 
succeodtd  in  such  an  enterprise,  ho  has  cheerfully  engaged  in  the  under- 
taking, trusting  for  encouragement  solely  to  the  fidelity  with  which  it 
will  be  conducted. 


I      w 


i' 

1 

i|illlll 

i.              .    -  - 

\    ■ 

AMERICAN  ORNITHOLOGY. 


DIV.  I.     AVKS  TEIIRESTRES.    LAND  BIKDS. 

ORDER  I.   ACCIPITRHS.    RAPACIOUS. 

Oknus  I.   VULTIIK.*    VUliTIJllKS. 

Spicies  I.    VULWR  AURA. 

TURKEY  VULTURE,  ou  TURKEY-IJUZZARD. 

[Plate  LXXV.   Fig.  1.] 

Vullur  aura,  Linn.  Syst.  etl.  10,  torn,  i.,  p.  Hfi,  4 — fnd.  Oni.  ji.  4,  No.  8 — Vikii.lot, 
OiB.  de  V Am.  Sejit.  i.,  p.  2.^,  pi.  2,  bin. — Carru^n  ('row,  Si.oank,  Jam.  ii.,  p.  Ii04, 
Uib.  254. —  Carrion  I'titlnrr,  Lath.  (irn.  Sijn.  i.,  p.  9. —  /.«  Vauloiir  ilii  lirSnil, 
Bbi88.  I.,  p.  408. —  Turkfij-ltuzzard,  Catesuv,  Car.  i.,  p.  ft.— Bartram's  TtavfU. 
p.  ^'i.—Cozcaqunaithtli,  Ci.aviqkro,  lli.it.  Mex.  i.,  p.  47,  Kmjliiih  (lan.ilalion. — 
Amerieau  Vulture,  Shaw,  Gm.  /.vol.  vii,,  p.  36. 

This  species  is  well  known  throiigiidut  the  United  Stiites,  Imt  is  most 
iiumeroua  in  the  southern  section  of  the  union.  In  the  northern  and 
middle  states  it  is  partially  migratory,  the  greater  part  retiring  to  the 
south  on  the  approach  of  cold  weather.  But  numhers  remain  all  the 
winter  'a  Maryland,  Delaware,  and  New  Jersey  ;  particularly  in  the 
vicinity  of  the  large  rivers,  and  the  ocean,  which  afford  a  supply  of  food 
at  all  sea.-ons. 

In  New  Jersey,!  the  Turkey-huzzard  hatches  in  May,  the  deep  re- 
cesses of  the  solitary  swamps  of  that  state  affording  situations  well  suited 

•  ThiH  ^cniiR  has  hiM>n  dividoil  into  sevorul  gonora,  liy  modern  ornitholngisti, 
Tonuninck  adopts  the  four  followiiij;:  1.  VuUur.  (Illiger).  2  CutliartfS.  (Illiger). 
3.  Gyj)aelH».  (Storr).  4.  Gi/poijvianiin.  (Uliper).  Tlio  two  foUowinj;  species 
belong  to  tlie  Hecond  of  these,  the  genus  Caiharles  of  'Uiger.  No  true  Vulture  in 
the  pruHent  reMtrioted  acceptation  of  that  genuH  linM  been  found  iu  America. 

f  The  author  mentions  New  Jorsoy  in  particular,  hh  in  that  state  he  has  visited 
the  breeding  place  of  tlie  Turkey-hu/.aiurd,  and  cun  therefore  apeak  with  certiiinty 
of  tli'>  fact.  Pennsylvania,  it  is  more  than  pmlialile,  alTords  situations  equally 
attractive,  which  are  also  tenanted  by  this  Vulture,  fur  hatching  and  rearing  ita 
young. 


Xim.i. 


K 


m^: 


12 


TURKEY    VULTUUE. 


to  the  purpose.  The  fonialo  is  at  no  pains  to  form  a  nest  with  materials  ; 
but  having  chosen  a  suitable  place,  which  is  either  a  truncated  hollow 
tree,  or  an  excavated  stump  or  log,  she  lays  on  the  rotten  wood  from 
two  to  four  eggs,  of  a  dull  dirty  white,  splashed  all  over  with  chocolate, 
mingled  with  blackish  touches,  the  blotches  largest  and  thickest  towards 
the  great  end ;  the  form  somewhat  like  the  egg  of  a  goose,  but  blunter 
at  the  small  end ;  length  two  incLos  and  three  quarters,  breadth  two 
inches.  The  male  watches  often  while  the  female  is  sitting  ;  and  if  not 
disturbed  they  will  occupy  the  same  breeding  place  for  several  years. 
The  young  are  clothed  with  a  whitish  down,  similar  to  that  which  covers 
young  goslings.  If  any  person  approach  the  nest,  and  attempt  to  han- 
dle them,  they  will  innnediately  vomit  such  offensive  matter,  as  to  compel 
the  intruder  to  a  precipitate  retreat. 

The  Turkey-buzzards  are  gregarious,  peaceable,  and  harmless  ;  never 
offering  any  violence  to  a  living  animal,  or,  like  the  plunderers  of  the 
Falco  tribe,  depriving  the  husbandman  of  his  stock.  Hence,  though  in 
consequence  of  their  filthy  habits  they  are  not  beloved,  yet  thc^  are 
respected  for  their  usefulness ;  and  in  the  southern  states,  where  they 
are  most  needed,  they,  as  well  as  the  black  vultures,  are  protected  by  a 
law,  which  imposes  a  fine  on  ihose  who  wilfully  deprive  them  of  life.  In 
the  middle  and  northern  states,  being  unprotected  by  law,  these  useful 
birds  are  exposed  to  persecution,  and,  consequently,  they  avoid  the 
residence  of  man.  They  generally  roost  in  flocks,  upon  the  limbs  of 
large  trees  ;  and  they  may  be  seen  in  a  summer's  morning,  spreading 
out  their  wings  to  the  rising  sun,  and  remaining  in  that  posture  for  a 
considerable  time.  Pennant  conjectures  that  this  is  *'  to  purify  their 
bodies,  which  are  most  offensively  fetid."  But  is  it  reasonable  to  sup- 
pose that  that  effluvia  can  be  offensive  to  them,  which  arises  fnmi  food 
perfectly  adapted  to  their  i.iture,  and  which  is  constantly  the  object  of 
their  desires?  Many  birds,  and  particularly  those  of  the  granivorous 
kind,  have  a  similar  habit,  which,  doubtless,  is  attendeil  with  the  same 
exhilarating  effect,  that  an  exposure  to  the  pure  air  of  the  morning  ha.s 
on  the  frame  of  one  just  risen  from  repose. 

The  Turkey-buzzards,  unless  when  rising  from  the  earth,  seldom  flap 
their  wings,  but  sweep  along  in  ogees,  and  dipping  and  rising  lines,  and 
move  with  great  rapidity.  They  are  often  seen  in  companies,  soaring 
at  an  immense  height,  particularlv  before  a  thunderstorm.  Their  wings 
are  not  spread  horizontaliy,  but  form  an  acute  angle  with  the  body,  the 
tips  having  an  upward  curve.  Their  8en.se  of  smelling  is  astonishingly 
exquisite,*  and  they  never  fail  to  discover  carrion,  even  when  at  the 


*  Till'  Rritioh  [lulilic  Iuin  latt'Iy  lm«'n  Hinuftcil  with  iIih  tnli'sofa  travollor,  on  sdiiia 
of  'III-  iiniiiiiilg  (if  our  tiiuiilrv.  Anions  ni'vitiiI  imnicularH,  wliirli  force  thvinNclveN 
\i\ton  the  uttt'ntion  uf  the  AuuTiuan  t'oadcr  hy  thuir  uovi'lty,  wu  are  |iri'8entcd  with 


%l 


TURKEY    VULTURE. 


18 


distance  from  it  of  several  miles.  Wlien  once  they  have  found  a  car- 
Cflj's  they  will  not  leave  the  place,  if  unmolested,  till  the  whole  ia 
devoured.  At  such  times  they  cat  so  immoderately,  that  frequently 
they  are  incapable  of  rising,  and  may  be  caught  without  much  difficulty ; 
but  few  that  are  acquainted  with  them  will  have  the  temerity  to  undertake 
the  task.  A  man  in  the  state  of  Delaware,  a  few  years  ago,  observing 
some  Turkey-buzzards  regaling  themselves  upon  the  carcass  of  a  horse, 
which  was  in  a  highly  putrid  state,  conceived  the  design  of  making  a  cap- 
tive of  one,  to  take  homo  for  the  amusement  of  his  childrei>.  He  cau- 
tiously approached,  and  springing  upon  the  unsuspicious  group,  gra-sped 
a  fine  plump  fellow  in  his  arms,  and  was  bearing  oft'  hia  prize  in  triumph, 
when  lo !  the  indignant  Vulture  disgorged  such  a  torrent  of  filth  in  the 
face  of  our  hero,  that  it  produced  all  the  efi'ects  of  the  most  powerful 
emetic,  and  for  ever  cured  him  of  his  incl'j.ation  for  Turkey-buzzarus. 

On  the  continent  of  America  this  species  iidiabits  a  vast  range  of  ter- 
ritory, being  common,*  it  is  said,  from  Nova  Scotia  to  Terra  del  Fuego.f 
IIow  far,  on  the  Pacific,  to  tlie  nortlnvard  of  ti.e  river  Columbia,  they 
are  found,  we  are  not  informed ;  but  it  is  ascertained  that  they  extend 
their  migrations  to  the  latter,  allured  thither  by  the  quantity  of  dead 
salmon,  which  at  certain  seasons  line  its  shores. 

They  are  numerous  in  the  West  India  islands,  where  they  are  said  to 
be  "far  inferior  in  size  lo  those  of  North  America.''^  This  leads  us  to 
the  inquiry,  whether  or  not  the  present  species  has  been  confounded  by 
the  naturalists  of  Europe,  with  the  Black  Vulture^  or  Carrion  Crow, 
which  is  so  common  in  the  southern  parts  of  our  continent.  If  not,  why 
hius  the  latter  been  totally  overlooked  in  the  most  noted  Ornithologies 
with  which  the  world  has  been  favored,  when  it  is  so  conspicuous  and 
remarkable,  that  there  is  no  stranger  that  visits  South  Carolina,  Geor- 


tho  result  of  a  geries  of  eipoi'iments,  which  were  inHtituted  to  prove,  that  the  Tur- 
key bnzziinl  (]oo»  not  j)ossoi*>  the  senne  af  xmfllin;/ !  Tliis  iiii)i()rtiiiit  eniiiu'iation 
would  he  ciilculiitod  to  <li8al/Hso  ua,  with  rcdpect  to  the  popular  opinion  on  this 
Huhjeot,  did  we  not  recdlli'ol.  thrit  the  sense  of  seeinij  had.  also,  by  some  ingenious 
naturalists,  Itcen  denied  to  the  Mole;  and  that  the  Bird  of  Paradise  had  been 
iitfirmed  to  he  deficient  of"  thoce  useful  orfjans  of  loectinotion — /*';/•'<.'  The  lovers  of 
romBnec  may  now  felicitate  thcnisel>  es  upon  the  nseendaney  of  an  observer,  whose 
eredihlr  narratives  may  aspiri'  to  tho  honor  of  rankins;  witli  the  tales  of  tlie  artless 
.Jfdin  Ihinn  Hunter,  or  tl<e  worn'iTs  of  that  pink  of  riraiil;/,  the  renowned  Sir.Iolin 
Mtindeville. 

*  In  the  northern  states  of  our  union  the  Turkey-buzzard  is  only  occasionally 
seen,  it  is  considered  a  rare  bird  by  the  iidnibitants. 

•)•  (Jreaf  'lumbers  o'"  a  species  of  Vulture,  commonly  called  Carrion  Trow  by  tho 
sailors,  (  Vullur  iiinit,;  were  seen  upon  this  island  (New  Year's  Island,  near  Oapo 
Horn,  lat.  .').')  8.  6"  W.)  and  probably  feed  on  young  seal-cubs,  which  either  die  in 
the  birth,  or  which  they  lake  an  opportunity  to  seize  upon."  Cook  calls  them  Tur- 
key-bu/./,ards.     Forster's  \'oy.  ii.,  p.  .M'l,  (juarto,  London,  1777. 

J  Pennant,  Arctic  /oology. 


u 


TURKEY    VULTURE. 


gia,  or  the  Spanish  provinces,  but  is  immediately  struck  with  the  novelty 
of  its  appearance?  We  can  find  no  cause  for  the  Turkey-buzzards  of 
the  islands*  being  smaller  than  ours,  and  must  conclude  that  the  Car- 
rion  Crow,  which  is  of  less  size,  has  been  mistaken  for  the  former.  In 
the  history  which  follows,  we  shall  endeavor  to  make  it  evident  that  the 
species  described  by  Ulloa,  as  being  so  numerous  in  South  America,  ia 
no  other  than  the  IJlack  Vulture. 

Kolben,  in  iiis  account  of  the  Cape  of  Good-IIopo,  mentions  a  Vul- 
ture, which  he  represents  as  very  voracious  and  noxious :  "  I  have 
seen."  savs  ho,  "  many  carcasses  of  cows,  oxen  and  other  tamo  creatures 
which  the  EagJes  had  slain.  I  say  carcasses,  but  they  were  rather 
skeletons,  the  flesh  and  entrails  being  all  devoured,  and  nothing  remain- 
ing but  the  skin  and  bone?.  But  the  skin  and  bones  being  in  their 
natural  places,  the  flosh  being,  as  it  were,  scooped  out,  and  the  wound, 
by  wliifii  the  Eagles  enter  the  bo<ly,  being  ever  in  the  belly,  you  would 
not,  till  you  had  come  up  to  the  skeleton,  have  had  the  least  suspicion 
that  any  such  matter  had  happened.  The  Dutch  at  the  (Jape  frequently 
call  those  Eagles,  on  account  of  their  tearing  out  the  entrails  of  beasts, 
Stnint-  Voiji'h,  i.  e.  Dung-birds.  It  frequently  happens,  that  an  o.\  that 
is  freetl  from  the  j)lougli,  and  left  to  find  his  way  home,  lies  down  to  rest 
himself  by  the  way:  and  if  Ik'  does  so,  'tis  a  great  chance  but  tho 
Eagles /(///  upon  him  ami  ih'vour  him.  They  attack  an  ox  or  cow  in  a 
body,  consisting  of  an  hundred  and  upwards. "f 

Buffon  conjectures  that  this  murderous  Vulture  is  the  Turkey-buzzard  ; 
and  concludes  his  history  of  the  latter  with  the  following  invective  against 
the  wliole  fraternity:  "  Iti  every  part  r.f  the  globe  they  are  voracious, 
slothful,  offensive  and  hateful,  and,  like  the  wolves,  are  as  noxious  durinq 
their  life,  as  useless  after  their  death." 

It  turns  out,  however,  that  this  ferocious  Vulture  is  not  the  Turkey- 
buzzard,  as  may  be  seen  in  Levaillant's  "•IFisfoire  Xaturelledes  Oiseaux 
d'Afrii|ue,"  vol.  I,  pi.  10.  wliere  the  (^Iiassf-fiente,  <)r  Striint-Vogi'l,  is 
figured  and  described.  The  truth  of  Kolbcii's  story  is  doubtful ;  and 
we  would  express  our  regret,  that  eidigliteiied  naturalists  should  so 
readily  lend  an  ear  to  the  romances  of     avellers,  who,  to  excite  aston- 


•  Tilt'  Vuluirc  which  Sir  IIiiiin  Sloiino  finiin'il  anil  iIositIIhvI,  iiml  which  ho  hiivh 
IH  common  in  .Iiimaicft,  in  iindnnlitcilly  the  Vnllnr  aura ;  "The  h<'nil  anil  tm  inch  in 
th(i  nci'k  nvc  Imrc  iitvi  witliout  fDiitlicrs,  nf  a  llosh  oolor,  cdvi'roil  with  a  ttiin  mem- 
brano,  liko  that  of  turkey?',  witti  which  ttio  immt  part  of  tho  l)ill  in  oovorcl  liki'wirii': 
bill  (iiilow  thi>  iiKMiiliraui')  tiiiirf  timii  iiii  itirli  Idm;;,  wtiitiMli  ut  lhi>  point  ;  titi!  hroml 
anil  iiirii'  inclii's  lonj; ;  li'^s  ami  fi'ot  thriio  iiichps  loii^ ;  it  llios  ciuctly  like  a  kite, 
and  preya  on  nothiiuj  liviiuj,  but  when  (lt\a"l  it  devours  their  caroasHcs,  wliunuo  thcj 
ari"  not  molested."     Sloiino,  Nat.  Hist.  Jum.  vol.  ii.,  p.  294,  folio. 

t  .Medley's  Koliicn,  vol.  ii.  j).  \'.\b. 


TURKEY    VULTURE.  ,      V      || 

ishment,  freely  give  currency  to  every  ridiculous  tale,  •which  the  design- 
ing or  the  credulous  impose  upon  them. 

The  Turkey  Vulture  is  two  feet  and  a  half  in  length,  and  six  feet  two 
inches  in  breadth  ;  the  bill,  from  the  corner  of  the  mouth,  is  almost  two 
inches  and  a  half  long,  of  a  dark  horn  color,  for  somewhat  more  than 
an  inch  from   the  tip,  the  nostril  a  remarkably  wide  slit  or  opening 
through  it ;  the  tongue  is  greatly  concave,  cartilaginous,  and  finely  ser- 
rated on  its  edges ;  ears  sub-cordate,  eyes  dark,  in  some  specimens  red- 
dish hazel ;  wrinkled  akin  of  the  head  and  neck  reddish ;  the  neck  not 
yo  much  carunclcd  as  that  of  the  Black  Vulture ;  from  the  hind-head  to 
the  neck  feathers,  the  space  is  covered  with  down,  of  a  sooty  black 
color ;  the  fore  part  of  the  neck  is  bare  as  far  as  the  breast  bone,  the 
skin  or  the  lower  part,  or  pouch,  very  much  wrinkled,  this  naked  skin  is 
not  discernible  without  removing  the  plumage  which  arches  over  it ;  the 
wiiole  lower  parts,  lining  of  the  wings,  rump  and  tail-coverts,  are  of  a 
sooty  brown,  the  feathers  of  the  belly  and  vent  hairy ;  the  plumage  of 
tlie  neck  is  largo  and  tumid,  and,  with  that  of  the  back  and  shoulders, 
!)lack  ;  the  scapulars  and  secondaries  arc  l)lack  on   their  outer  webs, 
skirted  with  tawny  brown,  the  latter  slightly  tipped  with  white ;  prima- 
ries and  their  coverts  plain  ])rown,  the  former  pointed,  third  primary 
tlie  longest ;  coverts  of  the  secondaries,  and  lesser  coverts,  tawny  brown, 
centred  witli   black,  some  of  the  feathers,  at  their  extremities,  slightly 
edged  with  white ;  the  tail  is  twelve  inches  long,  rounded,  of  a  brownish 
Idack,  and  composed  of  twelve  feathers,  which   are  broad  at  their  ex- 
tremities; inside  of  wings  and  tail  light   ash;  the  wings  reach  to  the 
end  of  the  tail ;  the  whole  body  and  neck,  beneath  the  j)lumage,  are 
tiiiekly  clothed  with  a  white  down,  which  feels  like  cotton ;  the  shafts  of 
the  ])riniaries  are  yellowish  wliite  above,  and  those  of  the  tail  brown, 
both  ])ure  white  Itelow ;  tiie  plumiigo  of  the  neck,  baek,  shoulders,  scap- 
ulars ami  secondaries,  is  glossed  with  green  and  lironze,  and  has  purple 
reflections;    the  thighs  are  feathered  to  tlie  knees;  foot  considerably 
webbed;  middle  foe  three  inches  and  a  half  in  length,  and  about  an  inch 
and  a  half  longer  than  the  outer  one,  wliieli  is  the  next  longest ;  the  sole 
of  the  foot  is  iuird   and   rough  ;  claws  dark  born  color ;  the  legs  arc  of 
a  pale  flesh  color,  a;id  three  inches  long.      The  claws  are  larger,  but  the 
feet  slenderer,  than  those  of  the  Carrion  Crow.     The  bill  of  the  male  is 
])iire  white,  in  some  specimens  the  upper  mandible  is  tipped  with  black. 
Tliere  is  little  or  no  otlier  pereeptilile  difl'erenee  between  the  sexes. 

Tlie  l)ird  from  which  the  foregoing  description  was  taken,  was  shot  for 
this  work,  at  (Jreat  Egg-harbor,  the  thirtieth  of  January.  It  was  a 
fcunile,  in  perfect  plumage,  excessively  fat,  and  weighed  five  pounds  one 
ounce,  avoirdupois.     On  dissection,  it  emitted  a  slight  nuisky  odor. 

The  Vulture  is  included  in  the  catalogue  of  those  fowls  declared  un- 
clean, and  an  abomination,  by  the  Lcvitical  constitution,  and  which  the 


I' 


™  I 


16 


BLACK    VULTURE. 


Israelites  were  interdicted  eating.*  Wo  presume  that  this  prohibition 
was  religiously  observed,  so  far  at  least  as  it  related  to  the  whole  family 
of  the  Vultures,  from  whose  flesh  there  arises  such  an  unsavory  odor, 
that  we  question  if  all  the  sweetening  processes  ever  invented,  could 
render  it  palatable  to  a  Jew,  Pagan,  or  Christian. 

Temminck,  and  some  recent  ornithologists,  have  separated  0"r  Vul- 
tures from  the  genus  Vultur,  and  have  classed  them  under  the  genus 
Oathartes  of  Illiger.  It  should  seem  that  there  is  a  propriety  in  this 
arrangement ;  but  as  Wilson  published,  in  his  sixth  volume,  the  cata- 
logue of  his  land  birds,  adopting  the  genus  Vultur,  as  sanctioned  by 
Latham,  we  have  not  thought  proper,  in  this  instance,  to  deviate  from 
his  plan.f 


Species  II.    VULTUR  JOTA. 

BLACK  VULTURE,  or  CARRION  CROW. 

[Plate  LXXV.  Fig.  2.] 

VuUvr  jota,  Omei,.  Si/.tl.  i.,  p.  247. — Moi.iM.t,  Hisl.  Chili,  i.,  p.  18.5,  Am.  trans. — 
Znpilot,  Ci,AVi(ii!Ro,  Hint.  ydr.  I.,  p.  47,  Kiuj.  trans. —  Gallinazo,[]u.o\,  Voy.i.,p. 
52,  Amsterdam  (d.— Vultur  alratus,  Bartrah,  p.  289. —  Vautour  du  lirisil,  PI. 
Knt.  1S7. —  Vultur  aura,  R.  Lath.  Ind.  Orn.  p.  v. — Le  Vautour  urubn,  Vikill. 
Ois.  dt  I'Am.  Sept.  I.,  p.  23,  pi.  2. 

Thk  habits  of  both  this  and  the  preceding  Vulture  are  singular.  In 
the  towns  and  villa;j;es  of  the  soutborn  st.atos,  particularly  Charleston  and 
Georgetown,  Soutli  Carolina,  and  in  Savannah,  Georgia,  these  birds  may 
be  seen  either  sauntering  about  the  streets  ;  sunning  themselves  on  the 
roofs  of  the  houses,  and  the  fences ;  or,  if  the  weather  be  cold,  cowering 
around  tlio  tops  df  tlic  chimneys,  to  enjoy  the  benefit  of  the  heat,  which 
to  them  is  a  peculiar  gratification.  Tliey  are  protected  by  a  law  ;  and  may 
be  said  to  be  completely  (bmiesticated,  being  as  common  as  the  poultry, 
and  equady  as  familiar.  The  inhabitants,  generally,  are  di.><gusted  with 
(heir  filthy,  voracious  habits  ;  Imt  notwiltistariding,  being  viewed  as  coii- 
tributive  to  the  removal  of  dead  animal  matter,  ivhicb,  if  permitted  to 
putrefy  during  the  hot  season,  wouhl  render  the  atmosphere  impure, 
they  liave  a  respect  paifl  them  as  scavengers,  whose  labors  are  sub- 
servient to  the  public  good.  It  sometimes  happens  that,  after  bavinj^ 
gorged  themselves,  they  vomit  down  the  chimneys,  wliicii  nuist  be  intole- 
rably <lisgustirig,  and  must  provoke  the  ill  will  of  those  whose  hospitality 
is  thus  requite<|.     To  obviate  this  evil,  the  chimney  tops  of  some  houses 


•  LfivitiiMiH,  xi.,  14.     Poiitoronomy,  xiv.  1.3. 
t  From  Mr.  OrJ'n  oupplomcntarjr  volume. 


BLACK    VULTURE. 


« 


are  furnished  with  rows  of  spikes ;  others  are  capped,  or  provided  with 
some  apparatus,  to  hinder  the  birds  from  alighting  upon  them. 

The  Black  Vultures  are  indolent,  and  may  be  observed,  in  companies, 
loitering  for  hours  together  in  one  place.  They  are  much  darker  in 
their  plumage  than  the  Turkey-buzzard.  Their  mode  of  flight  also  varies 
from  that  of  the  latter.  The  Black  Vulture  flaps  its  wings  five  or  six 
times  rapidly,  then  sails  with  them  extended  nearly  horizontally ;  the 
Turkey-buzzard  seldom  flaps  its  wings,  and  when  sailing,  they  form  an 
upward  angle  with  the  body.  The  latter  is  not  so  impatient  of  cold  as 
the  former,  and  is  likewise  less  lazy.  The  Black  Vulture,  when  walk- 
ing at  leisure  upon  the  ground^  takes  great  strides — when  hurried  he 
runs  and  jumps  awkwardly ;  the  Turkey-buzzard,  though  seemingly 
inactive,  moves  with  an  even  gait.  The  former,  when  springing  from  the 
ground,  will  sometimes  make  a  noise  exactly  resembling  the  grunt  of  a 

P'g- 

I  had  been  informed,  previously  to  my  visit  to  Georgia,  by  both  Wil- 
liam Bartram,  and  Mr.  John  Abbot,  that  the  two  species  did  not  asso- 
ciate ;  but  I  soon  dis'^ovcred  that  tliis  information  was  erroneous.  I  took 
notice  that  both  of  these  birds  mixed  together  upon  the  chimney  tops, 
and  the  roofs  of  the  houses,  and  sometimes  in  the  streets ;  they  were 
equally  unsuspicious  and  tame.  It  would  appear,  however,  that  there 
are  certain  districts  which  are  afi"ected  by  each  kind.  In  the  yard  of  the 
hotel  where  I  resided,  in  the  town  of  Savannah,  I  daily  observed  num- 
bers of  Carrion  Crows,  unaccompanied  by  a  single  Turkey -buzzard.  The 
latter,  unless  pressed  by  hunger,  will  not  eat  of  a  carcass  until  it  be- 
comes ^putrid ;  the  former  is  not  so  fastidious,  but  devours  animal  food 
without  distinction.  Perhaps  this  may  be  the  reason  why  the  Carrion 
Crows  alone  frequent  the  yards,  where  servants  are  in  the  habit  of  throw- 
ing out  animal  offals.  In  the  fields,  wherever  there  is  a  putrid  carcass, 
there  will  be  seen  swarms  of  Turkey-buzzards. 

It  is  said  that  the  Black  Vultures  sonietimof.  attack  young  pigs,  and 
eat  off  their  ears  and  tails ;  and  we  have  even  heard  stories  of  their 
assaulting  feeble  calves,  and  picking  out  their  eyes.  But  these  instances 
arc  rare ;  if  otherwise,  thoy  would  not  receive  that  countenance  or  pro- 
tection, which  is  so  universally  extended  to  them,  in  the  states  of  South 
Carolina  and  Georgia,  where  they  abound. 

In  one  of  Wilson's  journals,  I  find  an  interesting  detail  of  the  greedy 
irid  disgusting  habits  of  this  specits  ;  and  shall  give  the  passage  entire, 
in  the  same  unadorned  manner  in  which  it  is  written. 

"  February  21,  1809.  Went  out  to  Ilampstead*  this  forenoon.  A 
horse  had  dropped  down  in  the  street,  in  convulsions ;  and  dying,  it  was 
dragged  out  to  Ilampstead  and  skinned.     The  ground,  for  a  hundred 


Vol.  I.— 2 


•  Near  Charleston,  South  Carolini. 


■X  . 


mU^^ 


i  \r 


18 


BLACK    VULTURE. 


yards  around  it,  was  black  with  Carrion  Crows ;  many  sat  on  tho  tops  of 
sheds,  fences,  and  houses  within  sight ;  sixty  or  eighty  on  the  opposite 
side  of  a  small  stream.     I  counted  at  one  time  two  hundred  and  thirty- 
seven,  but  I  believe  there  were  more,  besides  several  in  the  air  over  my 
head,  and  at  a  distance.     I  ventured,  cautiously,  within  thirty  yards  of 
the  carcass,  where  three  or  four  dogs,  and  twenty  or  thirty  Vultures, 
were  busily  tearing  and  devouring.     Seeing  them  take  no  notice,  I  ven- 
tured nearer,  till  I  was  within   ten  yards,  and  sat  dn    ii  on  the  bank. 
Still  they  paid  little  attention  to  me.     The  dogs  being  sometimes  acci- 
dentally flapped  with  the  wings  of  the  Vultures,  would  growl  and  snap 
at  them,  which  would  occasion  them  to  spring  up  for  a  moment,  but  they 
immediately  gathered  in  again.     1  remarked  the  Vultures  frequently 
attack  each  other,  fighting  with  their  claws  or  heels,  striking  like  a  cock, 
with  open  wings,  and  fixing  their  claws  in  each  other's  head.    The  females, 
and  I  believe  the  males  likewise,  made  a  hissing  sound,  wiOi  open  mouth, 
exactly   resembling  that  produced  by  thrusting  a  red-hot  poker  into 
water ;  and  frequently  a  snuffling,  like  a  dog  clearing  his  nostrils,  as  I 
suppose  they  were  theirs.     On  observing  that  they  did  not  heed  me,  I 
stole  so  close  that  my  I'eet  were  within  one  yard  of  the  horse's  legs,  and 
again  sat  down.     They  all  slid  aloof  a  few  feet ;  but  seeing  me  quiet, 
they  soon  returned  as  before.    As  they  were  often  disturbed  by  the  dogs, 
I  ordered  tlie  latter  liomc  :  my  voice  gave  no  alarm  to  the  Vultures.    As 
soon  as  the  dogs  departed,  the  Vultures  crowded  in  such  numbers,  that 
I  counted  at  one  time  thirty-seven  on  and  around  the  carcass,  with  seve- 
ral within ;  so  that  scarcely  an  inch  of  it  was  visible.     Sometimes  one 
would   come  out   with    a  large   piece  of  the   entrails   which  in  a  mo- 
ment was  surrounded  by  several  others,  who  tore  it  in  fragments,  and  it 
soon  disappeared.     They  kept  up  the  hissing  occiusionaliy.     Some  of 
them  having  tiieir  whole  legs  aiid  heads  covered  with  blood,  presented  a 
most  savage  aspect.     Still  as  the  dogs  advanced  I  would  order  them 
away,  which  seemed  to  gratify  the  Vultures  ;    and  one  would  pursue 
another  to  within  a  foot  or  two  of  the  spot  wliero  I  was  sitting.      Some- 
times I  observed  them  stretching  their  necks  along  the  ground,  as  if  to 
press  the  food  downwards." 

The  Carrion  Crow  is  seldom  found,  on  the  Atlantic,  to  the  northwai  1 
of  Newbern,  North  Carolina,  but  inhabits,  as  far  as  we  can  ascertain, 
the  whole  southern  continent.  Don  UUoa,  in  taking  notice  of  tho  birds 
of  Carlhagena,  gives  an  account  of  a  Vulture,  which  we  shall  quote,  in 
order  to  establish  the  opinion,  advanced  in  the  preceding  history,  thnt  it 
is  the  present  species.  We  shall  afterwards  subjoin  other  testimony  in 
confirmation  of  this  opinion.  With  respect  to  the  marvellous  tale  of 
their  attacking  the  cattle  in  the  pastures,  it  is  too  improbable  to  merit  a 
serious  refutation  ;  and  it  is  to  be  regretted  that  Vieillot  should  have 


Sf     1 


11^ 


PXa  t>^ 


BLACK    VULTURE. 


19 


perpetuated  this  slander,  which  is  so  absurd,  that  wo  wonder  how  it  could 
have  escaped  his  animadversion. 

*'  It  would  be  too  great  an  undertaking,"  says  Ulloa,  "  to  describe  all 
the  extraordinary  birds  that  inhabit  this  country ;  but  I  cannot  refrain 
from  taking  notice  of  that  to  whicli  they  give  the  name  of  Gallinazo, 
from  the  resemblance  it  has  to  the  Turkey-hen.  This  bird  is  of  the  size 
of  the  Pea-hen,  but  its  head  and  neck  are  somewhat  larger.  From  the 
crop  to  the  base  of  the  bill  there  are  no  feathers ;  and  the  skin,  which 
is  of  a  brownish  black  color,  is  wrinkled  and  rough,  and  covered  with 
small  warts  and  tubercles.  The  plumage  of  the  bird  is  also  black.  The 
bill  is  well  proportioned,  strong,  and  a  little  hooked.  These  birds  are 
familiar  in  Carthagena,  the  tops  of  the  houses  are  covered  with  them. 
They  are  very  serviceable,  in  cleansing  the  city  of  all  its  animal  impuri- 
ties. There  are  few  ani-nals  killed  whereof  they  do  not  obtain  the 
offals ;  and  when  this  food  is  waiiting,  they  have  recourse  to  other  filth. 
Their  sense  of  smelling  is  so  acute,  that  it  enables  them  to  trace  carrion 
at  the  distance  of  three  or  four  leagues  ;  which  they  do  not  abandon  until 
there  remains  nothing  but  the  skeleton. 

"  The  great  number  of  these  birds  found  in  such  hot  climates,  is  an 
excellent  provision  of  nature ;  as  otherwise,  the  putrefaction  caused  by 
the  constant  and  excessive  heat,  would  render  the  air  insupportable  to 
human  life.  When  first  they  take  wing,  they  fly  heavily  ;  but  afterwards 
they  rise  so  high  as  to  be  entirely  invisible.  On  the  ground  they  walk 
sluggishly.  Their  legs  are  well  proportioned  ;  they  have  three  toes  for- 
ward, turning  inwards,  and  one  in  the  inside,  inclining  a  little  backwards, 
so  that  the  feet  interfering,  they  cannot  walk  with  any  agility,  but  are 
obliged  to  hop ;  each  toe  is  funii.Hhed  with  a  long  and  stout  claw. 

"  When  the  Gallinazos  are  deprived  of  carrion,  or  food  ii^  the  city, 
they  are  driven  by  hunger  among  the  cattle  of  the  pastures.  If  they 
see  a  boast  with  a  sore  on  the  back,  they  alight  on  it,  and  attack  the 
part  aft'ected ;  and  it  avails  not  that  the  poor  animal  throws  itsi'lf  upon 
the  ground,  and  endeavors  to  intimidate  them  with  its  bellowing :  they 
do  not  quit  their  hold'*  and  by  means  of  their  bill  they  so  soon  enlarge 
the  wound,  that  the  animal  finally  becomes  their  prey."t 

The  account,  from  tiie  same  author,  of  the  beneficial  eflocts  resulting 

*  The  fiioiilty  of  pri'honHion,  wliich  is  possosgod,  in  a  remnrkiible  dopree,  by  the 
whole  of  tho  Fah-o  trilio,  Imt  sli^'litly  npportiiinN  to  Vultures,  a.f>  is  f  videnced  liy 
tlicir  feet  and  cliiws  ;  hence  all  the  Htories  which  arc  reliited,  of  their  seizinj;  upon 
their  pre\,  and  lieaiiii^  it  off  in  their  talonn,  are  apoeryphal.  We  would  extend  this 
remark  to  the  farfaiiu'd  Condor,  whose  history  has  heen  emhoUished  with  feats  of 
Btrenjjth,  not  a  little  allied  to  the  marvellous. 

t  Voyn>.'e  IliNtoriipio  tie  IWrn/^riipie  M^ridionale,  par  I>on  Ocorpe  Juan,  et  Don 
Antoine  l>c  lUIoa,  liv.  I.,  chap,  viii.,  p.  52.  A  .Amsterdam  et  k  Leipzig,  1752, 
quarto. 


I  < 

I 

'•I  i 


w 


20 


BLACK    VULTURE. 


from  the  fondness  of  the  vultures  for  the  eggs  of  the  alligator,  merits 
attention. 

"  The  Gallinazos  are  the  most  inveterate  enemies  of  the  alligators,  or 
rather  they  are  extremely  fond  of  their  eggs ;  and  employ  much  strata- 
gem to  obtain  them.  During  the  summer,  these  birds  make  it  their 
business  to  watch  the  female  alligators  ;  for  it  is  in  that  season  that  they 
deposit  their  eggs  in  the  sand  of  the  shores  of  tho  rivers,  which  are  not 
tiien  overflowed.  The  Gallinazo  conceals  itself  among  the  branches  and 
leaves  of  a  tree,  so  as  to  be  unperceivod  by  tho  alligator,  and  permits 
the  eggs  quietly  to  be  laid,  not  even  interrupting  the  precautions  that 
she  takes  to  conceal  them.  But  she  is  no  sooner  under  the  water,  than 
the  Gallinazo  darts  upon  the  nest ;  and  with  its  bill,  claws,  and  wings, 
uncovers  the  eggs,  and  gobbles  them  down,  leaving  nothing  but  tho 
shells.  This  banquet  would  indeed  richly  reward  its  patience,  did  not  a 
multitude  of  Gallinazos  join  the  fortunate  discoverer,  and  share  in  the 
spoil. 

"  IIow  admirable  the  wisdom  of  that  Providence,  which  hath  given  to 
the  male  alligator  an  inclination  to  devour  its  own  oflspring  ;  and  to  the 
Gallinazo  a  taste  for  tho  eggs  of  tho  female  !  Indeed  neither  the  rivers, 
nor  the  neighboring  fields,  would  otherwise  be  suflicient  to  contain  tho 
multitudes  that  are  batched;  for  notwithstatuling  tho  ravages  of  both 
these  insatiable  enemies,  one  can  hardly  imagine  tho  numbers  that 
remain."* 

The  Abbd  Clavigero,  in  his  History  of  Mexico,  has  clearly  indicated 
the  present  species,  as  distinguished  from  the  Turkey-buzzard. 

"  The  business  of  clearing  the  fields  <if  Mexico,  is  reserved  princi- 
pally for  the  Zopilots,  known  in  South  America  by  the  name  of  Galli- 
nazzi ;  in  other  places,  by  that  of  Aure  ;  and  in  some  places,  though 
very  improperly,  by  that  of  Ravens.  There  are  two  very  different  spe- 
cies of  these  birds ;  the  one,  the  Zopilot,  properly  so  called,  the  other 
called  the  Cozcaqiiauhtli :  they  are  both  bigger  than  the  Raven.  Theso 
two  species  resemble  each  other  in  their  hooked  bill  and  crooked  claws, 
and  by  having  upon  their  head,  instead  of  feathers,  a  wrinkled  membrane, 
with  some  curling  hairs.  They  fly  so  high,  that  although  they  arc 
pretty  large,  they  are  lost  to  the  sight ;  and  especially  before  a  hail 
storm  they  will  be  seen  wheeling,  in  vast  numbers  under  tho  loftiest 
clouds,  till  they  entirely  disappear.  They  feed  upon  carrion,  which  they 
discover  by  the  acuteness  of  their  sight  and  smell,  from  the  greatest 
height,  and  descend  upon  it  with  a  majestic  flight,  in  a  great  spiral 
course.  They  are  both  almost  mute.  The  two  species  are  distinguished, 
however,  by  their  size,  their  color,  their  numbers,  afid  some  other  pecu- 
Uaritiea.     The  Zopilots,  properly  so  called,  have  black  feathers,  with  a 

*  Lir.  iv.,  chap,  ix.,  p.  172. 


■  'f  ' 


.i: 


*n 


BLACK    VULTURE. 


tl 


brown  head,  bill,  and  feet ;  they  go  often  in  floclcB,  and  rooat  together 
upon  trees.  This  species  is  very  numerous,  and  is  to  be  found  in  all  the 
different  climates  ;  while  on  the  contrary,  the  Cozcaquauhtli  is  far  from 
numerous,  and  is  peculiar  to  the  warmer  climates  alone.*  The  latter 
bird  is  larger  than  the  Zopilot,  has  a  red  head  and  foot,  with  a  beak  of 
a  deep  red  color,  except  towards  its  extremity,  which  is  white.  It» 
feathers  are  brown,  except  upon  the  neck  and  parts  about  the  breast, 
which  are  of  a  reddish  black.  The  wings  are  of  an  ash  color  upon  the 
inside,  and  upon  the  outside  are  variegated  with  black  and  tawny. 

"  The  Cozcaquauhtli  is  called  by  the  Mexicans,  King  of  the  Zopi- 
lota;f  and  they  say,  that  when  these  two  species  happen  to  meet  together 
about  the  same  carrion,  the  Zopilot  never  begins  to  eat  till  the  Cozca- 
quauhtli has  tasted  it.  The  Zopilot  is  a  most  useful  bird  to  that  coun- 
try, for  they  not  only  clear  the  fields,  but  attend  the  crocodiles,  and 
destroy  the  eggs  which  the  females  of  those  dreadful  amphibious  animals 
leave  in  the  sand,  to  be  hatched  by  the  heat  of  the  sun.  The  destruc- 
tion of  such  a  bird  ought  to  be  prohibited  under  severe  penalties."! 

"The  Jota  {Vultur  jota),"  says  the  abbd  Molina,  "resembles  much 
the  'Aura,  a  species  of  vulture,  of  which  there  is  perhaps  but  one  va- 
riety. It  is  distinguished,  however,  by  the  beak,  which  is  gray  with  a 
black  point.  Notwithstanding  the  size  of  this  bird,  which  is  nearly  that 
of  the  turkey,  and  its  strong  and  crooked  talons,  it  attacks  no  other, 
but  feeds  principally  upon  carcasses  and  reptiles.  It  is  extremely  indo- 
lent, and  will  frequently  remain  for  a  long  time  almost  motioiiless,  with 
its  wings  extended,  sunning  itself  upon  the  rocks,  or  the  roofs  of  the 
houses.  When  in  pain,  which  is  the  only  time  that  it  is  known  to  make 
any  noise,  it  utters  a  sharp  cry  like  that  of  a  rat ;  and  usually  disgorges 
what  it  has  eaten.  The  flesh  of  this  bird  emits  a  fetid  smell  that  is 
highly  offensive.  The  manner  in  which  it  builds  its  nest  is  perfectly 
corresj)ondent  to  its  natural  indolence ;  it  carelessly  places  between 
rocks,  or  even  upon  the  ground,  a  few  dry  leaves  or  feathers,  upon  which 
it  lays  two  eggs  of  a  dirty  white. "§ 

The  Black  Vulture  is  twenty-six  inches  in  length,  and  four  feet  eleven 
inches  in  extent ;  the  bill  is  two  inches  and  a  half  long,  of  a  pale  horn 
color  as  far  as  near  an  inch,  the  remainder,  with  the  head,  and  wrinkled 
skin  of  the  neck,  a  dirty  scurfy  black  ;  tongue  similar  to  that  of  the 
Turkey-buzzard  ;  nostril  an  oblong  slit ;  irides  dark  reddish  hazel ;  ears 
sublunate ;  the  throat  is  dashed  with  yellow  ochre  in  some  specimens ; 


*  Thin  iH  a  miNtnke. 

t  TliiH  In  tliK  Vullur  aura,     Tho  bird  which  now  goes  by  the  name  of  King  of 
the  Xcpiloh,  in  New  Spain,  is  tho  Vullur  papa  of  Linna<ua. 
t  (.'lavint>ro'H  Mexico,  traiiNlHteU  by  t'ullon,  vol.  i.,  p.  47,  London. 
{  Hist.  Chili,  Am.  trans,  i.,  p.  185. 


22 


HLACK    VULTURE. 


ri 


1-  ■    !t 


neck  feathers  below  the  caruneled  skin  much  inflateil,  and  very  Uiick ; 
the  goncial  cok)r  of  the  plumage  is  a  dull  black,  except  the  priuiaricH, 
which  are  whitiwh  on  the  inside,  and  have  four  of  their  broadened  edges 
below  of  a  drab,  or  dark  cream  color,  extending  two  inchen,  which  is  seen 
only  when  the  wing  is  unfolded,  the  shafts  of  the  feathers  white  on  botl 
sides ;  the  rest  of  the  wing  feathers  dark  on  both  sides ;  secondaries, 
scapulars  and  tail,  with  a  slight  coppery  glosH ;  the  wings  when  folded 
are  about  the  length  of  the  tail,  the  fifth  feather  being  the  longest;  the 
secondaries  arc  two  inches  shorter  than  the  tail,  which  is  composed  of 
twelve  feathers,  and  slightly  forked,  or  nearly  square;  the  exterior 
feathers  three-quarters  of  an  incli  longer  than  the  rest ;  the  legs  are  of  a 
dirty  limy  white,  three  inches  and  a  half  in  length,  and,  with  the  feet,  are 
thick  and  strong;  the  midilie  toe,  including  the  claw,  is  four  inches  long, 
side  toes  two  inches,  and  connected  to  the  middle  as  far  as  the  first  joint ; 
inner  toe  rather  the  shortest;  hind  toe  pointing  inward;  claws  strong, 
but  not  sharp  like  those  of  the  Falco  genus,  middle  claw  threOMpiarters 
of  an  inch  long ;  the  stomach  is  not  lined  with  hair  as  reported.  ^Vhen 
opened,  this  bird  smells  strongly  of  musk,  so  much  so  as  to  be  quite 
offensive.     Sexes  nearly  alike. 

Mr.  Abbot  informs  me  that  the  Carrion  Crow  builds  its  nest  in  the 
large  trees  of  the  low  wet  swamps,  to  which  places  they  retire  every 
evening  to  roost.  "  They  frequent,"  says  he,  '*  that  part  of  the  town 
of  Savannah  where  tiie  hog-butchers  reside,  and  walk  about  the  streets, 
in  great  numbers,  like  domestic  fowls.  It  is  diverting  to  see,  when  the 
entrails  and  offals  of  the  hogs  are  thrown  to  them,  with  what  greediness 
they  8crand»!e  for  the  food,  seizing  upon  it,  and  pulling  ono  against 
another  until  the  strongest  prevails.  The  Turkey-buz/ard  is  accused 
of  killing  young  lambs  and  pigs,  by  picking  out  their  eyes,  but  I  believe 
that  the  Carrion  Crow  is  not  guilty  of  the  like  practices."  When  taken 
alive,  this  bird  bites  excessively  hard,  and  its  bill,  which  is  very  sharp 
on  its  edges,  is  capable  of  inflicting  severe  wounds,  as  I  myself  expe- 
rienced. 

It  is  really  astonishing  that  the  European  naturalists  should  so  long 
have  overlooked  the  difference  which  there  is  between  this  species  and 
the  Turkey-buzzard,  in  their  external  conformation.  Their  heads  are 
difl'erontiy  i;haped  ;  their  bills  and  nostrils  are  considerably  unlike;  aiid 
the  arrangement  of  the  neck  plumage  is  entirely  dissimilar,  as  our  figures 
will  show.  The  Turkey-buzzard'«  neck,  along  the  ajso|)hagus,  as  far  as 
the  breast  bone,  is  bare  of  feathers,  though  this  nakedness  is  conceah'd 
by  the  adjacent  plumage  ;  the  same  part  in  the  (,'arrion  Crow  is  com- 
pletely clothed.  The  down  of  both  sj)eeies  has  the  same  cottony 
ajipt-arance. 

The  drab  color  on  the  primaries  is  not  visible  when  the  wing  is  closed, 
consequently  t!ie  marking  on  the  wing  of  our  figure  is  incorrect. 


If    f 


GREAT-FOOTED    HAWK. 


28 


In  the  month  of  Dccombor,  1815,  a  solitary  individual  of  this  npooior 
mado  ita  appearance  in  Philadolphia.  TIuh  viuitor,  as  may  bo  pruHumed, 
occasioned  not  a  little  Hurpriae.  It  was  shot  with  an  air  rifle,  whilv 
perched  upon  u  chimney  of  a  larj^e  house  in  ChcHtiiut  street.  This  bird 
was  put  into  my  hands  for  examination  ;  and  from  the  appeitranco  oi 
its  plumage,  I  had  reason  to  conjecture  that  it  had  escaped  from  con- 
finement. 

From  Vieillot's  figure  and  description  of  the  Black  Vulture,  wo  must 
conclude  that  ho  had  never  seen  it,  either  alive,  or  in  a  recent  state, 
otherwise  he  would  not  hove  committed  the  egregious  error  of  repre- 
senting the  naked  skin  of  the  bill,  head  and  neck,  of  a  blood  red,  when 
these  parts  are  of  a  scurfy,  black  color,  resembling  the  skin  of  a  dirty 
negro.* 


Genus  II.     FALCO.     FALCONS. 
Shecibs  I.    /'.  I'EltEGKlNUS. 

GREAT-FOOTED    HAWK. 

[Plate  LXXVI.    Female.] 

Falco  Peregrinvs,  Quki..  -V'-  '•.  P-  272,  88.-Bri8s.  i.,  p.  341,  6,  and  Var.  A.—Ind. 
Orn.  p.  33,  No.  72. —  Fah-o  liarliartis,  Linn.  Sijit.  ed.  10,  toin  i.,  p.  88,  No.  6. — 
Qmel.  Syat.  i.,  p.  272,  8. — lad.  (hn.  p.  33,  No.  71. — Fuku  honwtinus,  Briss.  i., 
p.  324,  A.  Falco  iiitjer,  Id.  p.  327,  E.  Falco  viaailattm.  Id.  p.  32'.*,  F. — I'tretjrint 
Fall-on,  Lath.  Si/n.  i.,  p.  73,  No.  .')2.  Id.  suppl.  p.  IS. — 1'knn.  J!ri(.  Zool.  No.  48, 
pi.  2(1.  Airt.  Zool.  No.  '.17. — Shaw,  (ien.  Zool.  vd.  vii.,  p.  128,— Montaou,  (hn. 
Diet,  and  Suppl. — !<oh',  Fauna.  Orciideitnis,  p.  150. — Common  Falcon,  Lath.  Syn. 
I.,  p.  65,  No.  4'.*,  var.  A.  p.  t'>7,  viir.  K.  p.  tiH.  var.  F. — Spoiled  Hawk  ov  Falcon, 
Edwards,  i.,  pi.  3.  lilock  Hawk  or  Fulmn,  Id,  \A.  4,  both  from  IIudMun's  Bay. 
—  f.e  Lanier,  I'l.  i-nl.  430,  old  male.  Le  Fauron  noir  el  pa.ssai/er.  Id.  4(19,  young 
Icnialu?  Le  Faucun  m-rs,  Id.  p.  470,  yeariinj;. — Faucon  pikrin,  Temh.  Man. 
d'  Orn.  p.  22. 

It  is  with  groat  plea.sure  that  we  are  now  enabled  to  give  a  portrait 
of  this  celebrated  Falcon,  drawn  of  half  the  size  of  life,  in  tho  best 
manner  of  our  deceased  friend ;  and  engraved  by  tho  accurate  and 
ingenious  La'.v.son. 

This  noble  bird  had  excited  our  curiosity  for  a  long  time.  Every 
visit  which  we  made  to  the  coast,  was  rendered  doubly  interesting  by  tho 
wonderful  stories  which  we  heijr<l  of  its  exploits  in  fowling,  and  of  its 
during  enterprise.  There  was  not  a  shooter  along  the  shore  but  knew 
it  well ;  and  each  could  relate  something  of  it  which  bordered  on  tlio 
marvellous.     It  was  described  as  darting,  with  the  rapidity  of  an  arrow. 


*  From  Mr.  Ord's  Bupplomentary  volume. 


f 

i: 


'H 


f 


i: 


J 1 


»f:    ^ai 


I    iii 


24 


GREAT-FOOTED    HAWK. 


upon  the  duekfl  when  on  the  wing,  and  striking  thorn  down  with  the  pro- 
jecting bono  of  its  breaat.  Even  the  wihl  gecso  wero  Haid  to  be  in 
danger  from  its  attacks,  it  liaving  been  known  to  sacriiico  them  to  it» 
rapacity. 

To  behold  tliis  hero,  the  terror  of  the  wild  fowl,  and  the  wonder  of 
the  sportsmen,  was  the  vhief  object  of  our  wishes.  Day  after  day  did 
we  traverse  the  salt  marshes,  and  exphjro  the  ponds  and  estuaries,  where 
the  web-fooled  tril)es  assemble  in  immense  innltitudes,  in  the  hope  of  ob- 
taining the  imperial  depredator ;  even  all  the  shooters  of  the  district  were 
Hummonetl  to  our  aid,  with  the  assurance  of  a  great  reward  if  they  pro- 
cured  him,  but  without  success.  At  length,  in  the  month  of  December, 
1812,  to  the  unspeakable  joy  of  Wilson,  he  received  from  Egg  Harbor 
a  fine  specimen  of  the  far-famed  Duck  Hawk  ;  which  was  discovered, 
contrary  to  his  expectations,  to  be  of  a  spei-ies  which  he  had  never 
before  beheld. 

If  we  wero  to  repeat  all  the  anccilotes  which  have  beon  related  to  us 
of  the  achievements  of  the  Duck  Hawk,  they  would  swell  our  j)ages  at 
the  expense,  probably,  of  our  reputation.  Naturalists  should  be  always 
on  their  guard  when  they  find  themselves  compelled  to  resort  to  the 
observations  of  others ;  and  record  nothing  as  fact,  which  has  not  been 
submitted  to  the  temperate  deliberations  of  reason.  The  neglect  of  this 
procedure  has  been  a  ijriiicipal  cause,  why  errors  and  absurdities  have 
so  frequently  deformed  the  pages  of  works  of  science,  which,  like  a  plain 
mirror,  ought  to  reflect  only  the  true  images  of  nature. 

From  the  best  sources  of  information,  we  b'arn  that  this  species  is 
adventurous  and  powerful ;  that  it  darts  upon  its  prey  with  astonishing 
velocity  ;  and  that  it  strikes  with  its  formidable  feet,  permitting  the  duck 
to  fall  ()rcviously  to  securing  it.  The  circumstance  of  the  hawk's  never 
carrying  the  duck  off  on  striking  it,  has  given  rise  to  the  belief  of  that 
service  being  perforineil  by  means  of  the  breast,  which  vulgar  oj)inion 
hafl  armed  with  a  projecting  bone,  adapted  to  the  purpose.  But  this 
cannot  be  the  fact,  as  the  breast  bone  of  this  bird  does  not  differ  from 
that  of  others  of  the  same  tribe,  which  would  not  admit  of  so  violent  & 
concussion. 

When  the  water  fowl  perceive  the  approach  of  their  tnemy,  ■&  univer- 
sal alarm  pervades  their  ranks  ;  even  man  himself,  wisli  his  engine  of 
destruction,  is  not  more  terrible.  But  the  effect  is  diffei-ont.  When  the 
latter  is  beheld,  the  whole  atmosphere  is  enlivened  with  the  whistling  of 
wings ;  when  the  former  is  recognised,  not  a  duck  is  to  be  seen  in  the 
air :  they  all  speed  to  the  water,  and  there  remain  until  the  hawk  has 
passed  them,  diving  the  moment  he  comes  near  them.  It  is  worthy  of 
remark,  that  he  will  seldom,  if  ever,  strike  over  the  water,  unless  it  bo 
frozen  ;  well  knowing  that  it  will  lie  difficult  to  secure  his  quarry.  This 
is  sometliiny  more  than  instinct. 


fit 


11:, 


GREAT-FOOTED    HAWK. 


25 


When  tho  HportHtncn  pcrcoivo  the  hawk  knock  down  a  duck,  thcj 
frequently  disappoint  him  of  it,  by  being  firHt  to  Hccure  it.  And  as  one 
evil  turn,  according  to  tho  maxim  of  tho  multitudo,  dcHorvcs  another, 
our  hero  takes  ample  revenge  on  them,  at  every  opportunity,  by  robbing 
them  of  their  game,  the  hard-earned  fruits  of  their  labor. 

Tho  Duck  Hawk,  it  is  said,  often  follows  the  steps  of  tho  shooter, 
knowing  that  tho  ducks  will  '  o  aroused  on  the  wing,  which  will  aflbrd  it 
an  almost  certain  chance  of  Huccess. 

We  have  been  informed  that  those  ducks  which  are  struck  down,  have 
their  backs  lacerated  from  the  rump  to  the  neck.  If  this  be  tho  fact, 
it  is  a  proof  that  the  hawk  employs  only  its  talons,  which  arc  long  and 
stout,  in  the  operation.  One  respectable  iidiabitant  of  Capo  May  told 
UH,  that  ho  had  seen  the  hawk  strike  from  below. 

This  species  has  been  long  known  in  Europe ;  and,  in  the  age  of  Fal- 
conry, was  greatly  valued  for  those  qualifications  which  rendered  it 
estimable  to  the  lovers  and  followers  of  that  princely  amusement.  But 
we  have  strong  objections  to  its  specific  appellation.  Tho  epithet  pere- 
(/rinf  is  certainly  not  applicable  to  our  hawk,  which  is  not  migratory,  as 
fiir  as  our  most  diligent  inquiries  can  ascertain  ;  and  as  additional  evidence 
of  the  fact,  we  ourselves  have  scon  it  prowling  near  the  coast  of  New 
Jersey,  in  the  month  of  May,  and  heard  its  screams,  which  resemble 
somewhat  those  of  the  Uald  Eagle,  in  the  swarups  whi'rein  it  is  said  to 
breed.  We  have  therefore  taken  the  liberty  of  changing  its  English 
name  for  one  which  will  at  once  express  a  characteristic  designation,  or 
which  will  indicate  the  species  without  the  labor  of  investigation.* 

"  This  sj)ecies,"  says  Pennant,  "breeds  on  the  rocks  )f  Llandidno,  in 
Caernarvonshire,  Wales.  That  promontory  has  be< n  long  famed  for 
producing  a  generous  kind,  as  appears  by  a  letter  extant  in  Gloddaeth 
library,  from  the  lor<l  treasurer  llurleigh  to  an  ancestor  of  Sir  Roger 
Mostyn,  in  which  his  lordship  thanks  him  for  a  present  of  a  fine  cast  of 
hawks  taken  on  those  rocks,  which  belong  to  the  family.  They  are  also 
very  common  in  the  north  of  Scotland;  and  are  sometimes  trained  for 
falconry  by  some  few  gentlemen  who  still  take  delight  in  this  amusement 
in  that  part  of  Great  Hritain.  Their  flight  is  annizing  rapid  ;  one  that 
was  reclaimed  by  a  gentleman  in  the  Shire  of  Angus,  a  county  on  the 
east  side  of  Scotland,  elo])ed  from  its  master  with  two  heavy  bells  at- 
tached to  each  foot,  on  the  24th  of  September,  1772,  and  was  killed  in 
the  morning  of  the  2fith,  near  Mostyn,  Flintshire. "f 

Tho  same  naturalist,  in  another  place,  observes,  that  "  the  Amcrica7i 


*  ''  Speeifio  namos,  to  be  perfect,  ought  to  exprc88  Bome  peouliarity,  oommou  to 
no  other  of  tho  j;cnuB."     Aui.  Orn.  !.,  p.  65. 
f  British  Zoology.  • 


26 


GREAT-FOOTKD    HAWK. 


species  is  larger  than  the  European.*  They  are  subject  to  vary.  The 
Lia.k  Falcon,  and  the  Spotted  Falcon,  of  Edwards,  arc  of  this  kind; 
each  preserves  a  specific  mark,  in  the  black  stroke  which  drops  from 
beneath  the  eyes,  down  towards  the  nock. 

"  Inhabits  different  parts  of  North  America,  from  Hudson's  Bay  as 
low  as  Carolina.  In  Asia,  is  found  on  the  highest  parts  of  the  Uraliau 
and  Siberian  chain.  Wanders  in  summer  to  the  very  Arctic  circle.  Is 
common  in  Kamtschatka."t 

Low  says,  that  this  species  is  found  in  all  the  head-lands,  and  other 
inaccessible  rocks,  of  Orkney.  "  It  is  the  falcon,  or  more  noble  species 
of  hawk,  which  was  formerly  so  much  coveted,  and  brought  from  Ork- 
ney. In  the  Burgh  of  Birsa  I  observed  the  dark-colored  kind,  so  beau- 
tifully engraved  in  the  additional  volume  of  the  B.-itisli  Zoology.  It  is 
likewi.^o  found  in  Mar\iick-head.  ifoy.  Walls,  Copinsha,  and  elsewhere 
in  Orkney ;  likewise  in  the  Fair  Isle  and  Foula ;  as  also  in  Lamhoga  of 
Fotlor,  Fitful,  and  Sumburgh-lleads  of  Shetland. 

"  Never  nior^  than  one  pair  of  this  species  inhabit  the  same  rock ; 
and  when  tin-  young  are  fit,  they  are  driven  out  to  seek  new  habitations 
for  themselves.  The  Falcon's  nest,  like  the  Eagle's,  is  always  in  the 
very  sam.'  spot,  and  continues  so  past  memory  of  'nan."! 

In  the  breeding  season,  the  Duck  Hawk  retires  to  tne  recesses  of  the 
gloomy  cedar  swamps,  o?<  the  tall  trees  of  which  it  constructs  its  nest, 
and  rears  its  young,  secure  from  all  molestation.  In  those  wiMs,  which 
present  obstacles  almost  insuperable  to  the  foot  of  man,  the  screams  of 
this  bird,  occasionally  m'.igled  with  the  hoarse  tones  of  the  Heron,  and 
the  hootings  of  the  Great-horned  Owl,  echoing  through  the  dreary  soli- 
tude, arouse  in  tlie  imagination  all  the  frightful  imagery  m'  desolation. 
Wilson,  and  the  writer  of  this  article,  explori-d  two  of  tliese  swamps,  in 
the  month  of  May,  1813,  in  pursuit  of  the  (ireat  Heron,  and  the  sub- 
ject of  this  chapter;  and  although  they  were  successful  in  obtaining  the 
former,  yet  the  latter  eluded  their  research. 

The  (Jreat-footed  Hawk  is  twenty  inches  in  len_'lli,  and  three  feet 
eight  inches  in  breadth  ;  the  bill  is  inflated,  short  and  strong,  of  a  light 
blue  color,  ending  in  black,  the  upper  mandible  with  a  tooth-like  process, 
the  lower  with,  a  corresponding  notcli,  and  truncate;  nostrils  round, 
with  a  central  point  like  the  pistil  of  a  flower;  the  eyes  are  large,  irides 
of  a  dark  brown  ;  cere  and  orbits  pale  bluish  white  ;  the  cartilage  over 
the  eyes  prominent ;  frontlet  whitish  ;  the  head  above,  cheeks  and  back, 


♦  If  we  wore  to  adopt  the  moJo  of  philosopfiiKinjr  of  tho  Count  de  RiifTon,  wo 
should  infer  tliiit  the  Kiiri/pi'iiii  BpeeieH  Ih  a  cariely  of  our  more  i/cjierous  rwr,  de- 
(j,'-rriilrti  /<//  fke  influence  of  food  and  climate  I 

t  Arctic  Zoolu^ry. 

}  Low's  N'uturiil  HJKtory  of  tho  QiiitdrupfdH,  BirdM,  H<>ptil<-H,  nnd  FImIii's,  of  0-k 
noy  and  Shetland  ;  puhlishod  by  William  Elford  Leuch,  M.  !>.,  4to.  ISl.'J. 


GREAT-FOOTED    HAWK. 


27 


are  black  ;  the  wings  and  scapulars  are  brownish  black,  each  feather 
edged  with  paler,  the  former  long  and  pointed,  reaching  almost  to  the 
end  of  the  tail ;  the  primaries  and  secondaries  are  marked  transversely, 
on  the  inner  vanes,  with  large  oblong  spots  of  ferruginous  white ;  the 
exterior  edge  of  the  tip  of  the  seconilaries  curiously  scalloppcd,  as  if  a 
piece  had  been  cut  out ;  the  tertials  incline  to  as)i  color ;  the  lining  of 
the  wings  is  beautifully  barred  with  black  and  white,  and  tinged  with 
ferruginous;  on  a  close  examination,  the  scapulars  and  tertials  are  found 
to  bo  barred  with  faint  ash  ;  all  the  shafts  are  black  ;  the  rump  and 
tail-coverts  are  light  ash,  marked  with  large  dusky  bars ;  the  tail  ia 
rounding,  black,  tipped  with  I'oddish  wliite,  and  crossed  with  eight  nar- 
row bars  of  very  faint  aslt ;  the  cliin  and  breast,  encircling  the  black 
mustaches,  are  of  a  pale  buft'  color ;  breast  below,  and  lower  parts,  red- 
dish buff,  or  pale  cinnamon,  handsomely  marked  with  roundish  or  heart- 
shaped  spots  of  black  ;  sides  broadly  barriMl  with  black  ;  the  feuiorals 
are  elegantly  ornamented  with  herring-bones  of  black,  on  a  buff  ground  ; 
the  vent  is  pale  buff,  marked  as  the  femorals,  though  with  less  numerous 
spots;  the  feet  and  legs  are  of  a  dirty  whit",  stained  with  yellow  ochre, 
the  legs  short  and  stout,  feathered  a  little  below  the  knees,  the  bare  part 
one  inch  in  length  ;  span  of  the  foot  five  inches,  with  a  large  protuberant 
sole  ;  middle  too  as  long  as  the  tarsus  ;  ''le  claws  are  large  and  black, 
middle  one  three-quarters  of  an  inch  lo..^  .A  claw  seven-eighths  of  an 
inch. 

The  most  striking  characters  of  this  species  arc  the  broad  patch  of 
black  dropping  below  the  eye,  and  the  uncommonly  large  feet.  It  is 
stout,  heavy,  and  firmly  put  together. 

The  bird  from  wliieli  the  above  description  was  taken,  was  shot  in  a 
cedar  swamp,  in  Cape  May  county.  New  Jersey.  It  was  a  female,  and 
contained  the  remains  of  small  birds,  among  which  were  discovered  the 
legs  of  the  Sanileriing.  The  figure  in  the  plate  is  an  excellent  resem- 
blance of  the  original,  which  was  luindsoniely  set  up  in  the  Philadelphia 
Museum. 

I  am  indebted  to  Mr.  Titian  IVale,  for  the  view  of  an  immature 
Bpeeimen  of  the  J)u' k  Hawk,  whieh  he  shot  near  the  Rocky  M  untain  ) ; 
it  was  (|uit»>  young,  hiiving  just  leff,  the  nest.  Its  colors  were  principady 
a  dirty  white,  and  a  reddish  iirowii ;  the  patch  belov,'  the  lye  not  very 
con.spicuous ;  but   the  characters  of  the  bill  and  feet  proved  the  species. 

According  to  Teniminck,  tjie  Peregrine  Falcon  never  iidnibits  marshy 
countries;  but  this,  I  presume,  is  a  mistake,  as  our  bird  is  remarkable 
for  its  att  I'hment  to  tiiose  pliu-es  which  are  affected  by  the  water  fowl; 
and  it  is  well  known  that  the  latter  abound  in  ;ili  th(>  marshes  of  th'" 
coast. 

In  the  month  of  Novcnnlier,  182.'5,  I  procured  a  fine  living  specimen 
of   the   Duck  Hawk,  which  I  preserved,  with   the  view  of  noting  ita 


28 


GREAT-FOOTED    HAWK. 


change  of  plumage.  It  was  a  female,  and  was  allowed  the  free  range 
of  a  stable  and  garden.  Notwithstanding  my  care,  it  lived  but  nine 
months.  On  dissection,  I  found  her  eggs  very  small,  although  she  had 
every  appearance  of  being  an  adult.  Around  the  base  of  the  heart 
and  near  the  ovaries,  I  discovered  two  or  three  round  wormp,  of  about 
nine  inches  in  Ien<;th, 

During  the  time  that  she  was  in  my  possession  she  did  not  moult* 
and  the  change  in  the  color  of  the  plumage  was  but  slight.  In  winter 
the  upper  parts  were  dark  brown,  but  in  the  summer  tliere  was  an 
appearance  of  ash  color  on  the  back  and  wing-coverts.  Tiie  fact,  that 
the  plumage  of  birds  undergoes  a  change  of  color,  independent  of  moult- 
ing, appears  to  be  now  well  ascertained ;  and  it  is  with  pleasure  that 
I  can  add  my  testimony,  on  this  subject,  to  the  sen  .ible  "  Remarks  on 
the  Changes  of  the  Plumage  of  Birds,"  which  were  published  in  the 
twelfth  volume  of  the  Transactions  of  the  Linnean  Society  of  London. 
The  paper  in  question  was  written  by  the  Rev.  William  Whitear. 

My  Duck  Hawk  never  became  sufficiently  domesticated  to  permit  me 
to  handle  her ;  and  if  an  attempt  were  made  to  touch  her,  slie  would 
either  hop  away  in  anger,  or,  if  prevented  from  retreating,  she  would 
spring  upon  me,  and  strike,  furiously,  with  one  of  her  pow-.-rful  feet, 
which  were  capable  of  inflicting  severe  wounds.  Unless  when  very 
hu"n:ry,  she  would  not  touch  cooked  fond ;  she  preferred  fresh-killed 
meat,  especially  tender  beef  ami  mutton,  generally  rejecting  the  fat. 
She  was  fond  of  small  bird;-,  but  a  live  duck  was  her  supreme  deli<dit; 
the  s'ght  of  one  would  make  her  almost  frantic  ;  at  such  times  the 
vigor  and  activity  of  her  movements,  and  the  animation  o*"  ht-r  eye, 
were  truly  admirable.  Her  antipathy  to  cats  was  great,  and  when  one 
of  these  animals  ajiproachcd  ht-r,  she  manifested  Iht  displeasure  bv 
raising  her  plumes,  opening  her  mouth,  and  uttering  some  sounds,  which 
were  doubtless  intemleil  as  a  premoUicion  of  danger.  If,  regardless  of 
all  these,  the  cat  got  within  striking  distance,  one  blow  from  the  Hawk 
was  generally  suffieient  to  compel  the  intruder  to  a  hasty  retreat.* 


•  From  Mr.  Ord's  suppIcinentHry  volume. 


U 


Specim  II.  FALCO  SPARVERWS. 

AMERICAN  SPARKOW  HAWK. 

[Plate  XVI.-Fig.  1— Female.] 

Emerillon  de  St.  Domingue,  Buff.  i.  291.  Pl.enl.  A&b.—Arct.  Zool.  2\2.—Litth 
Falcon,  Lath.  Syn.  v.  i.,  p.  1 10,  No.  94.     lb.  9."). 

In  no  department  of  ornithology  ha.s  there  been  greater  confusion, 
or  more  mistakes  made,  then  among  this  class  of  birds  of  prey.  The 
groat  difference  of  size  between  the  male  and  female,  the  progressive 
variation  of  plumage  to  which,  for  several  years,  they  are  subject,  and 
the  difficulty  of  procuring  a  sufficient  number  of  specime'is  for  examina- 
tion ;  all  these  causes  conspire  to  lead  the  naturalist  into  almost 
unavoidable  mistakes.     For  those  reasons,  and  in  order,  if  possible,  to 

'"M'tain  each  species  of  this  genus  distinctly,  I  have  determined,  where 
any  doubt  or  ambiguity  prevails,  to  represent  both  male  and  female,  as 
fair  and  perfect  specimens  of  each  may  come  into  my  possession. 
Acconling  to  fashionable  etiquette  the  honor  of  precedence,  in  the 
present  instance,  is  given  to  \.\w.  female  of  this  species ;  both  because  she 
is  the  most  courageous,  the  largest  and  handsomest  of  the  two,  best 
ascertained,  and  less  subject  to  change  of  color  than  the  male,  who  will 
re(iuire  some  further  examination  and  more  observation,  before  we  can 
venture  to  introduce  him. 

This  bird  is  a  constant  resilient  in  almost  every  part  of  the  United 
States,  particularly  in  the  states  north  of  Maryland.  In  the  southern 
states  there  is  a  small  species  found,  wliieh  is  destitute  of  the  black 
spots  on  t'le  head;  the  legs  are  long  and  very  slender,  and  the  wings 
light  iil'io.  This  has  been  supposed,  by  some,  to  be  the  male  of  the 
prose !•  ."pi'ci<>8 ;  but  this  is  an  error.  The  eye  of  the  present  species 
is  duF  ■  .  't.nt  of  the  smaller  species  !•  '  .illiant  orange;  the  former  ha.s 
the  fai;  I  m  (fat  the  end,  the  latter  slightly  forked.  Such  essential 
differcnceb  i  ;\''^  take  place  between  two  individuals  of  the  same  species. 
It  ought,  however,  to  be  remarked,  that  in  all  figures  and  descriptions  I 
liiive  hitherto  met  with  of  the  binl  now  before  us,  the  iris  is  represented 
dl'  a  bright  golden  color ;  but  in  all  the  specimens  I  have  shot  I  uni- 
formly found  the  eye  very  dark,  almost  black,  resembling  a  globe  of 
black  glass.  No  doubt  the  gold<M»  color  of  the  iris  would  give  the  figure 
of  the  bird  a  more  striking  ;)pearaiicc  ;  hut  in  works  of  natural  hist /ry 
t'  acrifice  truti)  to  mere  picturescjue  effect  is  detestable  ;  though,  I  fear, 
^lii  too  often  put  in  practice. 

'l   e  n<  St  oj  this  species  is  usually  built  in  &  hollow  tree ;  generally 

(29) 


m 


Li  !• 
il 


|--, 


II 


i ' 


a: 


30 


AMERICAN    SPARROW    HAWK. 


pretty  liigli  up,  whore  the  fop  or  a  hirgc  limb  has  been  broken  off,  I 
have  never  seen  its  eggs ;  but  liave  been  Irld  that  the  female  generally 
lays  four  or  five,  wliicli  are  of  a  light  brownish  yellow  color,  spotted 
with  a  darker  tint ;  the  young  are  fed  on  grasshoppers,  mice,  and  small 
birds,  the  usual  food  of  the  parents. 

The  habits  and  manners  of  this  bird  arc  well  known.  It  flies  rather 
irregularly,  occasionally  suspending  itself  in  the  air,  hovering  over  a 
particular  spot  for  a  minute  or  two,  and  then  shooting  ofl"  in  another 
direction.  It  perches  on  the  top  of  a  dead  tree,  or  pole  in  the  middle 
of  a  field  or  meadow,  and  as  it  alights  shuts  its  long  wings  so  suddenly 
that  they  seem  instantly  to  disappear ;  it  sits  here  in  an  almost  perpen- 
dicular position,  sometimes  for  an  hour  at  a  time,  frecpiently  jerking  its 
tail,  and  rcconnoitering  the  ground  below,  in  every  direction,  for  mice, 
lizards,  kc.  It  approaches  < be  farm-house,  jiarticularly  in  the  niiinsin", 
skulking  about  the  barn-yarr;  <r  ^  ■■•  or  young  chickens.  It  freciuently 
plunges  into  a  thicket  after  sii.  '.ds,  as  if  by  random;  but  always 

with  a  particular,  and  generally  iatal,  aim.  One  day  I  observed  a 
bird  of  this  sjiecies  perchc(l  on  the  highest  top  of  a  large  poplar,  0:1  the 
skirts  of  the  wood;  and  was  m  the  act  of  raising  the  gun  to  my  eve 
when  ho  swept  down  with  the  rapidity  of  an  arrow  into  a  thicket  of 
briars  about  thirty  yards  off;  wliere  I  shot  him  dead;  and  on  coming  up 
found  the  snnill  field  sparrow  (fig.  2,)  ([uivering  in  bis  grasp.  Both  our 
aims  had  bei-n  taken  in  the  same  instant,  and,  unfortunately  for  him, 
botli  were  fatal.  It  is  particularly  fond  of  watching  along  hedge  rows, 
and  in  orchards,  where  those  small  birds,  represented  in  the  same  plate, 
usually  resort.  When  grasshoppers  are  plenty  they  form  a  considerable 
part  of  its  food. 

Though  small  snakes,  mice.  lizar<ls,  itc.,  lie  favorite  morsels  with  this 
active  bird  ;  yet  we  are  not  to  suppo.se  it  altogether  destitute  of  delicacy 
in  feeding.  It  will  seldom  or  never  eat  of  anything  that  it  has  not  itself 
killed,  and  even  thai,  if  not  (as  epicures  woubl  term  it)  /;;  (/oml  ctitiiuj 
order,  is  sometimes  rejecteil.  A  ver}'  respectalile  friend,  throiigli  the 
medium  of  ?<Ir.  Bartram,  informs  me,  that  one  morning  he  observetl  one 
(f  these  hawks  dart  down  on  the  ground,  ami  si-ize  a  mouse,  whicli  he 
carried  to  a  fence  post  ;  where,  »ft<r  examining  it  for  .«ome  time,  he  left 
it  ;  anil,  a  little  wbib-  after,  )ioiinced  upon  another  mouse,  which  he 
instantly  carrieil  off  to  his  nest,  in  the  hnlli.w  of  a  tree  biird  liv.  The 
gentleman,  anxious  to  know  why  the  hawk  bad  rejected  the  first  mouse, 
went  up  to  it,  and  found  it  to  be  almost  covered  with  lice,  and  greatly 
emaciated  I  Here  was  not  only  delicacy  of  taste,  but  sound  and  |inideiit 
reasoning.  "  If  I  carry  this  to  my  n-st,"  tboiigbt  he,  '*  it  will  fill  it 
with  vermin,  and  hardly  be  worth  eating." 

The  Blue  diiys  have  a  particular  antipathy  to  this  bird,  imd  frei|iieiitly 
insult  it  by  fdlowing  and   imitating  its  notes  so  exactly  as  to  deceive 


AMERICAN    SPARROW    HAWK. 


81 


even  those  well  acquainted  with  both.  In  return  for  all  this  abuse  the 
hawk  contents  himself  with,  now  and  then,  feasting  on  the  plumpest  of 
his  persecutors ;  who  are  therefore  in  perpetual  dread  of  him  ;  and  yet, 
through  some  strange  infatuation,  or  from  fear  that  if  they  lose  sight  of 
him  he  may  attack  them  unawares,  the  Sparrow  ITawk  no  sooner  appears 
thiin  the  alarm  is  given,  and  the  whole  posse  of  Jays  follow. 

The  female  of  this  species,  wliich  is  '  ero  faithfully  represented  from 
a  very  beautiful  living  specimen,  furnished  by  a  particular  friend,  is 
eleven  inches  long,  and  twenty-three  from  tip  to  tip  of  the  expanded 
wings.  The  core  and  legs  arc  yellow ;  bill  blue,  tipped  with  black ; 
space  round  the  eye  greenish  blue ;  iris  deep  dusky  ;  head  bluish  ash  ; 
crown  rufous ;  seven  spots  of  black,  on  a  white  ground,  surround  the 
head  in  the  manner  represented  in  the  figure  ;  whole  upper  parts  reddish 
bay,  transversely  streaked  with  black  ;  primary  and  secondary  quills 
black,  spotted  on  their  inner  vanes  with  brownish  white;  whole  lower 
parts  yellowish  white,  markeil  with  longitudinal  streaks  of  brown,  except 
the  chin,  vent  and  femoral  feathers,  which  are  white ;  claws  black. 


FALCO  SPAnVERIUS. 

AMERICAN   SPARiiOW   HAWK. 

[Plate  XXXII.    Fig.  2-  Male] 

Lillle  U(iuJ<;  Ard  Zonl.'2\],  No.  110. —  KmerHhm  de  Caynvie, Bvrr.  I.,  291,pl. enl. 

\„.  444.— Lath,  i.,  lid.* 

As  the  male  and  the  female  of  this  species  differ  considerably  in  the 
markings  of  their  plumage,  the  male  is  introduced,  drawn  to  one-half  its 
natural  size,  to  conform  witli  tlie  rest  of  the  figures  on  the  plate. 

The  male  Sparrow  Ilawk  measures  about  ten  inches  in  length,  and 
twenty-one  in  extent ;  the  whole  upper  parts  of  the  heatl  are  of  a  fine 
slate  blue,  the  shafts  of  tlu>  pbiniage  l)i'ing  black,  the  crown  excepted, 
which  is  marked  witii  a  sjHyt  of  bright  rufous  ;  the  slate  tapers  to  a  point 
on  each  side  of  the  neck  ;  seven  black  spots  surround  the  head,  as  in  the 
female,  on  a  reihlisli  white  ground,  wliich  also  borders  each  sloping  side 
of  the  blue ;  front,  lores,  line  over  and  tinder  the  eye,  chin  and  throat, 
wliite;  femoral  and  vent  feathers  yellowish  white;  the  rest  of  the  lower 


•  Wf  M(M  tli(>  follnwinj;  HvniitiyiiK'.s  : — Fulra  uparreriti.'^.  Linn.  Si/.iI.  eil.  10,  p.  90. 
— ('<«Ei..  Si/st.  I.,  ji.  'JS4. — hid.  th-ii.  p  4"J — F.  Puminirrriiiis,  Omki..  Si/nt.  I.,  p.  2S.'). 
—  I.itlle  llduk.  Cateshv,  I.,  p.  ft.  —  l/ Fmi-rill-m  ilf  la  Cmiiliitf.  Hriss.'>)vi.  i.,  p.  ,'iSfi. 
L'  F.miriU'.n  de  SI.  Ihimimjue,  Id.  p.  389. —  Tinuunruhis  spnmriitii,  Vimi,.  O/j.  dt 
VAm.  Sept.  p.  1:!-13. 


,^, 


f 


(U 


.  •! 


i  ' 


3g  AMERICAN    SPARROW    HAWK. 

parts  of  the  same  tint,  each  feather  being  streaked  down  the  centre  with 
a  long  black  drop,  those  on  the  breast  slender,  on  the  sides  larger ;  upper 
part  of  the  back  and  scapulars  deep' reddish  bay,  marked  with  ten  or 
twelve  transverse  waves  of  black  ;  whole  wing-coverts,  and  ends  of  the 
secondaries,  bright  slate,  spotted  with  black  ;  primaries  and  upper  half 
of  the  secondaries  black,  tipped  with  white,  and  spotted  on  their  inner 
vanes  with  the  same ;  lower  part  of  the  back,  the  rump  and  tail-coverts, 
plain  bi  ight  bay ;  tail  rounded,  the  two  exterior  feathers  white,  their 
inner  vanes  beautifully  spotted  with  black  ;  the  next  bright  bay,  with  a 
broad  band  of  black  near  its  end,  and  tipped  for  half  an  inch  with  yel- 
lowish white,  part  of  its  lower  exterior  edge  white,  spotted  with  black, 
and  its  opposite  interior  edge  touched  with  white;  the  whole  of  the 
others  are  very  deep  red  bay,  with  a  single  broad  band  of  black  near 
the  end,  and  tipped  with  yellowish  white ;  core  and  legs  yellow,  orbits 
the  same,  bill  light  bl'^e ;  iris  of  the  eye  dark,  almost  black,  claws  blue 
black. 

The  character  of  this  corresponds  with  that  of  the  female,  given  at 
large  in  the  preceding  article.  I  have  reason,  however,  to  believe,  that 
these  birds  vary  considerably  in  the  color  and  markings  of  their  pliunai'c 
during  the  first  and  second  years  ;  having  met  with  specimens  every  way 
corresponding  with  the  above,  except  in  the  breast,  which  was  a  ])liiin 
rufous  white,  without  spots ;  the  markings  on  the  tail  also  differing  a 
little  in  different  specimens.  These  I  uniformly  found  on  dissection  to 
be  males ;  from  the  stomach  of  one  of  which  I  took  a  considerable  part 
of  the  carcass  of  a  robin  ( Titnhut  7iii</rat(n'iu8.)  inchuling  the  unbroken 
feet  and  claws ;  though  (he  robin  actually  measures  within  half  an  inch 
as  long  as  th«  Sparrow  Hawk. 

Note. — This  species  is  very  common  among  the  cotton  plantations  of 
Georgia  and  East  Florida.  From  the  island  of  Cuba  we  received  a  living 
specimen,  which  differed  in  no  respect  from  the  samo  species  in  the 
United  States. 


I  ij I 


« 


^  slilV 

Spkcibs  III.     FALCO  COLUMRARIUS. 

PIGEON    HAWK. 

[Plate  XV.    Fig.  3.— Male.] 

Linn.  »V-  «<!•  10,  P-  00,  No.  19.— I-atii.  S,in.  v.  i.,  p.  101,  No.  HC—UEperoier 
de  la  ('aniline,  Bni.ss.  Oru.  i.,  p.  liTlS. — Catesb.  i  ,  p,  3.  t.  3. — B.^vktram,  p.  290. 
— Gmel.  SijKt.  V.  1.,  p.  281. 

This  .small  Hawk  po.s.sc.t.scs  rfroat  .<<pirit  and  rapiility  of  flif^lit.  lie  is 
generally  migratory  in  the  middle  and  northern  states,  arriving  in  I'enn- 
sylvania  early  in  spring,  and  e.xtending  his  migrations  aa  far  north  as 
Uudson's  IJav.  Ai'ter  Imildinj'  and  n-arinj'  lii.-<  voiinj',  he  retires  to  the 
south  early  in  November,  ^nnill  birds  and  mice  are  his  ])rincipal  food. 
When  the  Reed-birds,  Grakles,  and  Red-winged  Hiaekliirds,  congregate 
in  large  flights,  he  is  often  observed  hovering  in  their  rear,  or  on  their 
flanks,  picking  np  the  weak,  the  wounded  or  stragglers;  an<l  fre(|uently 
making  a  sudden  and  fatal  sweep  into  the  vi-ry  midst  of  their  multitudes. 
The  flocks  of  rid)ins  and  pigeons  are  hojiored  with  the  same  attentions 
from  this  marauder;  whose  daily  excursions  are  entirely  regulated  by 
the  movemetits  of  the  great  body,  on  whose  unfortunate  inend)ers  he 
fattens.  The  individual  from  which  the  drawing  in  the  plate  was  taken, 
was  shot  in  the  meadows  below  Philadelphia,  in  the  month  of  August. 
He  was  carrying  oft"  a  blackbird  (Oriohn*  phirnirrus)  fiv>in  the  flock,  and 
though  mortally  wounded  and  dying,  held  his  prey  fast  till  his  last  ex- 
piring breath  ;  having  struck  his  claws  into  its  very  heart.  This  was 
found  to  be  a  nuile.  Sometimes  when  .shot  at,  and  not  hurt,  he  will  fly 
in  circles  over  the  sportsman's  head,  shrieking  out  with  great  violence,  as 
if  highly  irritated.  lie  frequently  flies  low,  skinnuing  a  little  above  the 
fiebl.      I  have  never  seen  his  nest. 

The  Pigeon  Hawk  is  eleven  inehes  long,  and  twenty-three  broad ;  tho 
whole  up|)er  parts  are  of  a  deep  dark  brown,  except  the  tail,  which  is 
crossed  with  bars  of  white  ;  the  inner  vanes  of  the  (;uill  feathers  are 
nuirkcd  with  round  s[)ots  of  redilish  bnnvn  ;  the  bill  is  short,  strongly 
toothed,  of  a  light  blue  color,  and  tijjped  with  black  ;  the  skin  surround- 
ini'  the  eve  greenish;  cere  the  sami' ;  temples,  and  line  over  the  eye, 
light  brown  ;  the  lower  parts  brownish  white,  streaked  laterally  with 
dark  brown  ;  legs  yellow,  elawa  black.  The  feunile  is  an  inch  and  a 
half  lotigcr.  of  a  still  deeper  color,  though  marked  nearly  in  tho  same 
manner,  with  the  exception  of  s(une  white  on  the  hindheail.  The  femo- 
rals,  or   thigh   feathers,  in  both,  are  of  a  renuukabh"  length,  reaching 

Vol.  I. -3  (33) 


v  y 


1        IP'J 


if 


34 


BALD   EAGLE. 


nearly  to  the  feet,  and  arc  also  streaked  longitudinally  with  dark  brown. 
The  iriiles  of  tlie  eyes  of  this  bird  have  been  hitherto  described  as  being 
of  a  brilliant  yellow  ;  but  every  specimen  I  have  yet  met  with  luul  the 
iris  of  a  deei>  hazel.  I  nmst  tluTcfore  follow  nature,  in  ojjposition  te 
very  numerous  and  respectable  authorities. 

I  cannot,  in  imitation  of  European  naturalists,  embellish  the  history 
of  this  species  with  anecdotes  of  its  exploits  in  falconry.  This  science, 
if  it  nuiy  be  so  called,  is  among  the  few  that  have  never  yet  travelled 
across  the  Atlantic;  neither  does  it  appear  that  the  idea  of  training 
our  hawks  or  eagles  to  the  chase  ever  suggested  itself  to  any  of  the 
Indian  nations  of  North  America.  The  Tartars,  however,  from  whom, 
according  to  certiiin  writers,  may  of  these  nations  originated,  have  long 
excelled  in  the  practice  of  this  sport ;  which  is  indeeil  better  suited  to 
an  open  country  than  to  one  covered  with  forest.  Though  once  so 
honorable  and  so  universal,  it  is  now  much  disused  in  Europe,  and  in 
Britain  is  nearly  extinct.  Yet  I  cannot  but  consider  it  as  a  nmch  more 
noble  and  princely  amusement  than  horse-racing  and  eock-fighting, 
cultivated  in  certain  states  with  so  much  care  ;  or  even  than  pugilism, 
which  is  still  so  liighly  patronized  in  some  of  those  enlightened  countries. 


■;:,-^ 


Species  IV.  FALCO  LEVCOCEPIIALUS. 

WIIITE-IIEAI)K[),  OK  IJALD  KAGLE.* 

[Plate  XXXVI.  Female.] 

Linn.  Hyst.  1'24.— Lath,  i.,  2'.).—  f^.  pygaryue  d  lite  hianchf.  Buff,  i.,  09,  pi.  cnl. 
4\\.—Ar,t.  Zool.  190,  No.  89.— /;«/</  Eiujle,  C.\teso.  i.,  l.f 

This  distinguished  bird,  as  he  is  the  mo.st  beautiful  of  his  tribe  in 
this  part  of  the  worhl,  and  the  adopted  fiiJilcm  of  our  country,  is  enti- 
tled to  particular  notice.  lie  is  represented,  in  tlu  plate,  of  one-third 
his  natural  size,  and  was  drawn  from  one  of  the  largest  and  most  perfect 
specimens  I  have  yet  met  with.  In  the  back  ground  is  seen  a  distant 
view  of  the  celebrated  cataract  of  Xiag.ara,  a  noted  place  of  resort  for 
these  birds,  as  well  on  account  of  the  fisli  procured  there,  as  for  the 


♦The  epithet  bald,  applicil  to  lliis  (ipccioH,  wlioso  hoiid  ia  tliickiy  covorcd  with 
fpRthPTH,  in  o(iiiiillv  iiMpr(i|n'r  iiii'l  nli-iuril  with  iho  titlcn  (iiuitsiickfr,  Kinj;tislier,  A<'., 
beKtowcti  on  otiiors  ;  ami  »(>oiiik  to  liavn  l(i>?n  occasioni'd  liy  tlio  white  iippcaranoo 
of  the  hr>!id,  whon  contraste"!  with  tlie  diitk  color  of  the  rout  of  the  plumn^c.  The 
appi'llntion,  Iiowcvit,  hcinj;  now  almost  utii^ornal,  w  rctaiiiod  in  tlie  foHowin;;  pa>;eH. 

t  We  add  the  followin;;  Kynonymes. — -l-'iih-n  /,<M(«<'r///K//H.i,  (imki..  SijsI.  i.,  p.  "J.").'). — . 
Lath.  Ind.  Oin.ji.  II.  —  Ai</lf  <l  Iflf  lilitiiehe,  Tf.H)l  .V(/;i.  iV  Orn.  y.  •)'!.— I,' AijU 
pyijanjui",  ViKii.i.or,  (Hit.  de.  I'Am.  Sept.  i.,  p   '21,  pi.  ',]. 


WHITE- IF  RAT)  ED    EAOLE. 


86 


mimorous  carcasses  of  squirrels,  deer,  bear,  and  various  other  animals, 
that,  in  their  attempts  to  cross  the  river,  above  the  falls,  have  been 
dragged  into  the  current,  and  prcMMpitated  down  'luit  tremendous  gulf; 
where  among  the  rocks  that  bound  tiie  rapids  below,  they  furnish  a  rich 
repast  for  the  Vulture,  the  Raven,  and  the  Bald  Eagle,  the  subject  of 
the  present  account. 

This  bird  has  been  long  known  to  naturalists,  being  common  to  both 
continentH ;  and  occasionally  nu't  with  from  a  very  liigh  northern 
latitude,  to  tho  borders  of  the  torriil  zone,  but  chiefly  in  the  viciidty 
of  the  sea,  and  along  the  shores  and  cliffs  of  our  lakes  ami  large  rivers. 
Kornied  by  nature  for  braving  tlie  severest  cohl ;  fi-ediiig  e(]nally  on 
the  produce  of  the  sea,  ami  of  the  land;  possessing  powers  of  llight, 
capable  of  outstripping  even  the  tempests  theniselves  ;  uiciwed  by  any- 
thing but  man,  and,  from  the  ethereal  heights  to  which  he  soars,  looking 
abroad  at  one  glance,  on  an  inuueasnrable  expanse  t»f  forests,  fields, 
lakes  and  ocean,  deep  below  him  ;  he  appears  indifltrent  to  the  little 
localities  of  change  of  seasons ;  as  in  a  few  minutes  he  can  pass  from 
summer  to  winter,  fvom  tho  lower  to  the  higher  regions  of  the  atmo- 
sphere, the  abode  of  eternal  cold  ;  and  thence  descend  at  will  to  tho 
torrid  or  the  arctic  regions  of  the  earth.  He  is  therefore  found  at  all 
seiusons  in  the  countries  he  iiduibits ;  but  prefers  such  places  as  iiave 
been  mentioned  above,  from  the  great  partiality  he  has  for  fish. 

In  procuring  these  he  displays,  in  a  very  singular  inanm-r,  the  genius 
and  energy  of  his  charaetei-,  which  is  fierce,  contemplative,  daring  and 
tyrannical ;  attributes  not  exerted  but  on  particular  occasions  ;  but 
when  put  forth,  overpowering  ail  opposition.  Elevated  on  a  high  di'ail 
limb  of  some  gigantic  tree,  that  eoinniamls  a  wide  view  of  the  neigh- 
boring shore  ami  ocean,  he  seems  calmly  to  contemplate  the  motions  of 
the  various  feathered  tribes  that  pursue  their  iiusy  avocations  below  : 
the  snow-white  Gulls,  slowly  winnowing  the  air;  the  busy  TringiV*, 
coursing  along  tlu"  sands;  trains  of  Ducks,  streaming  over  the  surface; 
sih'Ut  and  watehful  (!ranes,  intent  and  wading;  chnnorous  (,'rows,  luid 
all  the  winged  multitudes  that  subsist  by  the  bounty  of  this  vast  licjuid 
unigazine  of  nature.  High  over  all  these  hovers  one,  whose  action 
instantly  arrests  all  his  attention.  Hy  his  wide  curvature  of  wing,  and 
sudden  suspension  in  air,  he  knows  him  to  hv  the  Flu/i-Hairlc  settling  over 
some  devoted  victim  of  the  deep.  His  eye  kindles  at  the  sight,  ami 
balancing  himself,  with  half-opened  wings,  on.  the  branch,  he  watches 
the  result.  Dowti,  rapid  as  an  arrow  from  heaven,  descends  the  distant 
(iliji'ct  of  his  attention,  the  roar  of  its  wings  reaching  the  ear  as  it  dis- 
appears in  the  deep,  making  the  surges  f(uun  around  I  At  this  moment 
the  eager  looks  of  the  Eagle  arc  all  ardor ;  ami  levelling  his  neck  for 
flight,  he  sees  the  Fish-Hawk  once  more  emerge,  struggling  with  his 
prey,  and  mounting  in   the  air  with  screams  of  exultation.     These  aro 


I    it 


"h 

1 

1 

i 

1 

1 

Jffi  WlIITK-IIKADKl)    KAOLE. 

the  sisiial  for  our  hero,  who,  huuiching  into  iho  iiir,  instantly  gives  chaco, 
Booii  ifiiins  on  the  P'ish-IIawk,  oadi  exorts  his  \itniost  to  mount  ahovts  tliu 
other,  (lisphi^ing  in  thcnc  rencounters  tlio  ino.st  elof^aiit  ami  Hublinio 
aerial  evolutions.  The  unencumbered  Eagle  rapidly  advuiices,  and  is 
just  on  the  point  of  reaching  his  opjiotient,  when,  with  a  sudden  Hcreani, 
prohiiMv  of  (lesi)air  and  honent  »'.\eeration,  the  latter  drops  his  lisli  ; 
the  Eagle  poising  himself  for  a  moment,  as  if  to  take  a  more  certain 
aim,  descends  like  a  whirlwind,  snatches  it  in  his  grasp  ere  it  reaches 
the  water,  and  hears  his  ill-gotten  booty  silently  away  to  the  woods. 

These  predatory  attacks,  and  defensive  manueuvrcs,  of  the  Kagle  and 
the  Fish-Hawk,  are  matters  of  tlaily  observation  along  the  whole  of  our 
seacoast,  from  Florida  to  Now  England ;  and  frequently  e.xcitc  great  in- 
terest in  the  .'■iiccfators.  Sympathy,  however,  on  this,  as  on  nuist  other 
occasions,  generally  sides  with  the  honest  and  laborious  sufferer,  in  oppo- 
sition to  the  attacks  of  power,  injustice  and  rapacity  ;  qualities  for 
which  our  hero  i.s  so  generally  notorious,  and  which,  in  his  superior, 
man,  are  certainly  detestable.  As  for  the  feelings  of  the  poor  fish,  they 
seem  altogether  out  of  the  question. 

When  driven,  as  lie  sometiiiies  is,  by  the  cimibined  courage  and 
perseverance  of  the  Fish-Hawks  from  their  /leighborhood,  and  forced  to 
hunt  for  himself,  he  retires  more  inland,  in  search  of  young  pigs,  of 
wbieli  be  destroys  great  numbers.  Jn  the  lower  parts  of  \'irgiiiia  aiKi 
North  Carolina,  where  the  inhabitants  raise  vast  herds  of  those  animals, 
com|ilaiiits  of  this  kind  are  very  general  against  him.  Me  also  do- 
str'.ys  young  lambs  in  tlu-  early  part  of  spring;  and  will  sometimes 
attack  old  sicklv  slieei),  aiiiiinj'  furiously  at  their  eves. 

In  corroboration  of  the  remarks  I  have  myself  made  on  the  manners 
of  the  iJald  Eagle,  many  accounts  have  reache(i  me  from  various 
persons  of  respectability,  living  on  or  near  our  seacoast  ;  the  sul;- 
stance  of  all  these  1  shall  endeavor  to  incorporate  with  the  present 
account. 

Mr.  .John  Ti.  (iardiner,  who  resides  on  an  island  of  three  thousand 
acres,  nl)oiit  three  miles  from  the  eastern  jioint  of  Long  Island,  from 
which  it  is  separated  by  (jardiiier's  Hay.  and  who  has  conse(|Uentlv 
many  opportunities  of  observing  the  iiabits  of  these  birds,  has  favored 
me  with  a  number  of  interesting  })articulars  on  this  subject ;  for  which 
I  beg  leave  thus  jmblicly  to  return  my  grateful  acknowledgment. 

"The  IJald  Eagbs,"  says  this  gentleman,  "remain  on  this  island 
during  the  whole  winter.  'I'liey  can  be  most  easily  discovered  on  even- 
ings by  iln-ir  loud  :-noring  while  aslecjt,  on  high  oak  trees;  and  when 
awake,  their  hearing  seems  to  be  nearly  as  good  as  their  sight.  I  think 
I  mentioned  to  you  that  I  had  myself  seen  one  Hying  with  a  /amb  ten 
(lays  old,  and  which  it  dropped  on  the  ground,  from  about  ten  or  twt'lve 
feet  high.     The  struggling  of  the  lamb,  more  than  its  weight,  prevented 


I  I 


It        !   ^ 


■WIIITK-lIKAltEl)    EAOLK. 


87 


its  carryiiif^  it  away.  My  niiiniii^,  liallooiiij^,  and  beiiij^  very  near, 
iniglit  pri'Vfiit  its  coiiipli'tiii;^  its  dcrtign.  It  had  broke  tlie  back  in  the 
act  of  seizing  it  ;  and  I  was  under  the  necessity  of  killing  it  outright  to 
prevent  its  misery.  The  lamb's  dam  seemed  astonished  to  hco  its  inno- 
cent ofTspring  borne  ofl'  into  the  air  by  a  bird. 

"I  was  lately  told,"  eontinues  Mr.  (Jardiner,  "by  a  man  of  truth, 
tliat  he  saw  an  Engle  rob  a  Hawk  of  its  fish,  and  the  Hawk  seemed  ho 
eiiriigcd  as  to  fly  <h)wn  at  the  Eagle,  while  the  Eagle  very  deliberately, 
in  the  air,  threw  himself  partly  over  on  his  back,  and  while  he  grasped 
with  one  foot  the  fish,  extended  the  other  to  threaten  or  seize  the  Hawk. 
I  have  known  several  Hawks  unite  to  attack  the  Eagle;  but  never  knew 
a  single  one  to  do  it.  The  Eagle  seeni«  to  regard  the  Hawks  as  the 
Hawks  do  the  King-birds,  only  as  teasing,  troublesome  fellows." 

From  the  same  intelligent  and  obliging  friend,  1  lately  received  a  well 
prescrvetl  skin  of  the  Bald  Eagle,  which,  from  its  appearance,  and  the 
note  that  accompanied  it,  seems  to  have  belonged  to  a  very  formidable 
individual.  "It  was  shot,"  says  Mr.  (jrardiner,  "last  winter,  on  this 
island,  and  weiglu'd  thirteen  pounds,  .jieasured  three  feet  in  length,  and 
seven  from  tip  to  tip  of  the  expanded  wings ;  was  extremely  fierce-look- 
ing;  though  wounded,  would  turn  his  back  to  no  one ;  fastened  his  claws 
into  the  head  of  a  dog,  and  was  with  iliffieulty  disengaged.  I  have  rode 
on  horseback  within  tive  or  six  rods  of  one,  who,  by  his  liold  demeanor, 
raising  his  feathers,  &c.,  seemed  willing  to  dispute  the  ground  with  its 
owner.  Tlie  crop  of  the  present  was  full  of  mutton  from  my  part-blood 
merinos;  and  his  intestines  containeil  featli(;rs,  which  he  ))robaidy  (fe- 
vourcd  with  a  duck,  or  winter  gull,  as  I  ol)servcd  an  entire  foot  and  leg 
of  some  water  fowl.  I  had  two  killed  previous  to  this  which  weighed 
ten  pounds  avoirdupois  each." 

The  intrepidity  of  character,  mentioned  above,  may  be  farther  illus- 
trated by  the  following  fact,  which  occurred  a  few  years  ago,  near  (ireat 
Egg  Harbor,  New  Jersey.  A  wouum  who  happened  to  be  weeding  in 
the  garden,  had  set  her  child  down  near,  to  amuse  itself  while  she  was 
at  work  ;  when  a  sudden  and  extraordinary  rushing  sound,  and  a  seri'am 
from  her  child  alarmed  her,  and  starting  up,  fhe  beheld  the  inl'ant 
thrown  down  and  dragged  some  few  feet,  and  a  large  Bald  Eagle  bear- 
ing off  a  fragment  of  its  frock,  which  being  the  only  part  seized,  and 
giving  way.  providentially  saved  the  life  of  the  infant. 

The  appetite  of  the  Jbilil  Eagle,  though  habituateil  to  long  fasting,  is 
of  the  most  voracious,  and  often  the  most  indelicate  kind.  Fish,  when 
he  can  obtain  them,  arc  jtreferred  to  all  other  fare.  Young  lambs  and 
nil's  are  daintv  morsels,  and  made  free  with  on  all  favorable  occasions. 
Ducks,  ireese,  jfulls,  and  other  sea-iuv  1,  arc  also  seized  with  aviditv.  The 
most  putrid  carrion,  when  nothing  better  can  be  had,  is  acceptable;  and 
the  collectetl  groups  of  gormandizing  Vultures,  on  the  approach  of  this 


• 


I 


'.rn^i 


^' 


{  i 


^^^ 


88 


WIIITK-IIKA  I»K1»    K,  AO  L  K. 


dignified  |KTS()tiii>,n',  iiiMliuitly  dirtptTHO,  uiid  inukc  way  for  tlit-ir  miwtnr, 
waitiii"  liis  dcixuturi-  in  sulloii  silonco,  and  at  a  roHjioctrul  di.stanco,  on 
thu  adjacent  trocH. 

In  one  of  tlione  partial  niigratioiiH  of  tree  sipiirrels,  tlnit  soniotiniort 
lake  idace  in  our  we.ntern  fore.sts,  many  thousands  of  llieni  were  drowned 
in  atteniptin/^  to  cross  tho  Oliio ;  and  at  a  certain  jjlaee,  not  far  from 
Wlieeling,  a  prodi^iims  ?iuml»er  of  tlieir  dead  liodies  were  floated  to  tlio 
(diore  l»v  iin  eddy.  Here  tlie  Vultures  assendiled  in  great  force,  and  had 
regaled  themselves  for  Home  time,  when  a  Hald  Eagle  made  his  appear- 
ance, and  took  solo  posscHsion  of  the  premises,  keeping  the  whole  Vul- 
tures at  their  proper  distance,  foi'  several  days.  He  has  also  heen  seen 
navigating  the  same  river  on  a  floating  carrion,  though  scarcely  raised 
aliove  the  surface  of  the  water,  and  tugging  at  the  carcass,  regardless 
of  snags,  sawyers,  planters  or  shallow.H.  Ho  .sometimes  carries  his 
tyranny  to  great  (!.xlremes  against  the  Vultures.  In  hard  times,  when 
food  happens  to  he  scarce,  should  he  accidentally  nu'ct  with  oin;  of  these 
who  has  its  craw  crammed  with  carrion,  ho  attacks  it  fiercely  in  air;  tho 
cowardly  Vulture  instantly  dint/oiyeg,  and  the  delicious  contents  arc 
snatched  uji  hy  the  Kagh>  htfore  they  reach  the  ground. 

The  nest  of  this  species  is  generally  fixed  on  a  very  large  and  lofty 
tree,  often  in  a  swamp,  or  morass,  and  dillicult  to  ho  ascended.  On  some 
noted  tree  of  this  description,  often  a  j)ine  or  cypress,  the  Bald  Eaglo 
builds,  year  after  year,  for  a  hmg  series  of  years.  When  h(»th  male  and 
female  have  heen  shot  from  the  nest,  another  pair  has  soon  after  taken 
p08se.<*sion.  The  nest  is  large,  heing  added  to.  and  repaireil,  every  sea- 
son, utitil  it  hecomes  a  hlack  prominent  mass,  ohsorvahle  at  a  consider- 
able distance.  It  is  fornu'd  of  largo  sticks,  sods,  earthy  ruhhish,  hay, 
moss,  &c.  Many  have  stated  to  me  that  tho  female  lays  first  a  single 
egg,  anil  that  after  having  sat  on  it  for  some  tiinti,  she  lays  another ; 
when  the  first  is  hatched,  the  warmth  of  tluit,  it  is  pretended,  hatches 
tho  other.  Whether  this  he  correct  or  not  I  cannot  determine;  hut  a 
very  respectahle  gentleman  of  Virginia  assured  me.  that  he  saw  a  largo 
tree  cut  down,  containing  the  nest  of  a  Hald  Eagle,  in  which  were  two 
young,  one  of  which  appeared  nearly  thrt'<'  times  as  large  as  the  other. 
As  a  proof  of  their  attachment  to  their  young,  a  person  n»>ar  Norfolk 
iriforme<l  me.  that,  in  clearing  a  piece  of  woods  on  lii>  place,  they  iiu't 
with  a  large  dead  j»ine  tree,  on  which  was  a  Hald  Kagle's  nest  and  young. 
The  fri'c  heing  on  fire  more  than  half  way  up,  and  the  flames  rapidly 
ascending,  the  parent  Kagle  darted  around  ami  among  flie  flames,  until 
Jier  pluniag<'  was  so  much  injured  that  it  was  with  difliculty  she  could 
make  her  escape,  and  even  then,  she  several  times  attempted  to  return 
to  relieve  her  offspring. 

No  bird  provides  more  abuiulanflv  for  its  voung  than  the  Hald  Eaijlo. 
Fish  are  daily  carried   thither  in   numbers,  so  that  they  sometimes  lie 


WIIITK-IIKADED    EAOLi!:. 


89 


Bcatton'd  round  the  tree,  and  tliu  putrid  huioII  of  thu  nuMt  may  bo  diHtiii- 
guislu  (I  at  tlif  diHtaiico  of  Ht-voral  liuiidrud  yards.  Tlio  young  arc  at 
firHt  eovcri'd  willi  a  thick,  whilisli,  or  crcani-c^oiorcd  (cottony  down  ;  tlicy 
gradually  heconio  of  a  gray  color,  as  tlicir  |)luniage  develops  itself,  con- 
tinue of  tlu!  brown  gray  until  the  third  year,  when  the  white  begiuH  to 
make  its  appearance  on  the  head,  neck,  tail-covertH  and  tail ;  theHe,  by 
the  end  of  the  fourth  year,  are  completely  white,  or  very  slightly  tinged 
with  cream  ;  the  eye  also  is  at  fnst  ha/.el,  hut  grailually  hright(!iiH  into 
II  brilliant  straw  color,  with  the  white  plumage  of  the  head.  Such  at 
least  was  the  gradual  ju'ogress  of  this  change,  witnessed  by  myself,  on  a 
very  fine  specimen,  brought  up  by  a  gentleman,  a  frieml  of  mine,  who 
for  a  considerable  time  believed  it  to  be  what  is  usually  called  the  (Jray 
Eagle,  iind  was  much  surprised  at  the  gradinil  metamorphosis.  TIuh 
will  account  for  the  circumstance,  so  freijuently  observed,  of  the  Gray 
and  White-heailed  Kiii;le  beinj;  seen  toyetlier,  both  beinj'  in  fact  the 
same  species,  in  different  stages  of  color,  according  to  their  difference 
of  age. 

The  flight  of  the  Bdld  Eagle,  when  taken  into  consideration  with  the 
anlor  and  energy  of  his  character,  is  noble  ami  interesting.  Sometimes 
the  humati  eye  can  j\ist  discern  him,  like  a  minute  speck,  moving  in  hIow 
curvatures  along  the  face  of  the  heavens,  as  if  reeonmjitring  the  earth 
at  that  immense  distance.  Sometimes  he  glides  along  in  a  ijireet  hori- 
zontal line,  i'l  a  vast  height,  with  expanded  and  unmoving  wings,  till  he 
gradually  disap|iears  in  the  distant  bluit  ether.  Seen  gliding  in  easy  cir- 
cles over  the  high  shores,  and  mountainous  cliffs,  that  tower  above  the 
Hudson  ami  Sus(|uehanna,  he  attracts  the  eye  of  the  intelligent  foya- 
ger.  and  adds  great  interest  to  the  scenery.  At  the  great  cataract  of 
Niagara,  already  mentioned,  there  rises  from  the  gulf,  into  whieli  the 
fall  of  the  Ilorse-shoe  descends,  a  stupendous  column  of  smoke,  or  spray, 
reaching  to  the  heavens,  and  moving  off  in  large  black  clouds,  accord- 
ing to  thi'  direction  of  the  wind,  f(U-ming  a  very  striking  and  majestic 
appearance.  The  Kagles  are  here  seen  >ailing  about,  sonii^timcs  losing 
themselves  in  this  thick  column,  ami  again  reap|>earing  in  another 
place,  with  such  ease  and  elegance  of  motion,  as  renders  the  whole  truly 
sublime. 

Iliuli  o'or  tilt'  wuttTv  ii|ir()iir,  Mili-iit  soon, 

Siiiliiij;  Miiiliitc,  ill  iniijcMty  Ncrciu', 

Now  millet  tlio  |iilIiiro(l  Kpray  suliliiiii>ly  lost, 

Anil  new,  ('iMerjrinf^,  down  tlic  riipids  toum'd, 

(iliilos  tlic  Hiilil  F.iifili',  miziiij;.  I'liliu  iiixl  slow 

O'er  nil  till"  horrors  of  the  ncimii'  tx.'low  ; 

Intent  niono  to  sute  hinisclf  with  ))'»u(l, 

From  the  torn  vlctiiiis  of  tho  ru;;ii)g  tlood. 

The  White-headed  Eagle  is  three  feet  long,  and  seven  feet  in  extent; 
the  bill  is  of  a  rich  yellow;  cere  the  same,  slightly  tinged  with  green; 


'1*    ii 


^' 


m.  i: 


n  ■'• 


i' 


40 


WIIITE-IIE  ADED    EAGLE. 


mouth  flesh  colored,  tip  of  the  tongue  bluish  black  ;  the  head,  chief  part 
of  the  neck,  vent,  tail-covcrts  and  tail,  are  white  iu  the  perfect  or  old 
birds  of  both  sexes,  in  those  under  three  years  of  age  these  parts  are  of 
a  gray  brown ;  the  rest  of  the  plumage  is  deep  dark  brown,  each  feather 
tipped  with  pale  brown,  lightest  on  tiie  shoulder  of  the  wing,  j^nd  darkest 
towards  its  extremities ;  the  conformation  of  the  wing  is  admirably 
adapted  for  the  support  of  so  largo  a  bird ;  it  measures  two  feet  in 
breadth  on  the  greatc-  quills,  and  sixteen  inches  on  the  .esser ;  the 
longest  primaries  arc  twenty  inches  in  length,  and  upwards  of  one  inch 
in  circumference  where  they  enfer  the  skin  ;  the  broadest  s^v^ndaries 
are  three  inclitri  .'.  breadth  across  the  vane  ;  the  scapulars  are  very  large 
and  broad,  spreading  from  the  ba'k  to  the  wing,  to  prevent  the  lir  from 
pa.'^sing  through  ;  nnother  range  of  broad  flat  feathers,  from  tlir-o  to  ten 
inches  in  length,  also  extends  from  the  lower  j)art  of  the  brevst  to  the 
wing  below,  for  the  same  purpose ;  between  these  lies  a  deep  triangular 
cavity;  the  thighs  are  roniarkubly  thick,  strong,  aiid  nuiscular,  covered 
with  long  featijcrs  jiointing  backwiirds,  usually  called  the  femoral 
feathers ;  tbe  legs,  which  are  covered  half  way  below  the  knee,  before, 
with  dark  brown  downy  feathers,  are  of  a  rich  yellow,  the  color  of  ripe 
Indian  corn;  f"<'t  the  same;  claws  blue  black,  very  large  and  strong, 
particularly  the  inner  one,  which  is  considerably  the  largest,  soles  very 
rough  and  warty  ;  the  eye  ia  sunk  under  a  bony  or  cartilaginous  projec- 
tion, of  a  pale  yellow  color,  and  is  turned  considerably  forwards,  not 
standing  parallel  with  the  cheeks,  the  iris  is  of  a  bright  straw  color, 
pupil  black. 

The  male  is  generally  two  or  three  incht.^  shorter  than  the  female ; 
the  white  on  the  head,  neck  and  tail,  being  more  tinged  with  yellowish, 
and  its  whole  appearance  less  formidabU' ;  the  brown  plumage  is  also 
lighter,  and  the  bird  itself  less  daring  than  the  fennile,  a  circumstance 
common  to  almost  all  birds  of  prey. 

The  bird  from  which  the  foregoing  drawing  and  description  were 
taken,  was  shot  near  Oreat  Egg  Iliirbnr,  in  the  month  of  January  last, 
was  in  excellent  order,  and  weighed  aliout  eleven  pciunds.  ])r.  Sanniel 
B.  Smith,  (if  this  city,  oMigt'd  nie  with  a  minute  anil  careful  ilissection 
of  it ;  from  whose  copious  and  very  interesting  notes  on  the  suliject,  I 
shall  extraci  such  rennirls  as  are  suited  to  the  <xrneral  reailer. 

*'  Tlie  Kagh,'  you  sent  me  for  dissection  was  i  beautiful  fennile.  It 
had  two  expansions  of  the  guUet.  The  first  principally  eunijiosed  of 
longitinlinal  bundles  of  fibre,  in  which  (as  the  bird  is  ravenous  and  with- 
out teeth)  large  portions  of  unmasticated  meats  are  suff'ered  to  dissolve 
before  they  pass  to  the  lower  or  proper  stonnich,  whicli  is  nn'mbraiioiis. 
I  did  no  ''eceive  the  bird  tim(^  enough  to  ascertain  whethci  any  fhylifi- 
catioT>  was  efl'ected  l>y  the  juices  from  the  vessels  of  this  enlargeniont  of 
th«  osBojihagus.     I  think  it  probable  that  it  also  has  a  regurgitating  oi 


WHITE-HEADED    EAGLE. 


41 


vomiting  power,  as  the  bird  constantly  swallows  largo  quantities  of  in- 
digestible substances,  such  as  quills,  hairs,  &c.  In  this  sao  of  the  Eagle 
I  found  the  quill  feathers  of  the  small  white  gull ;  and  in  the  true 
stomach,  the  tail  and  some  of  the  breast  feathers  of  the  same  bird  ;  and 
the  dorsal  vertebrae  of  a  large  fish.  This  excited  some  surpris  ,  until 
you  made  me  acquainted  with  the  fact  of  its  watching  the  Fish-hawks, 
and  robbing  them  of  their  prey.  Tims  we  see,  throughout  the  whole 
empire  of  animal  life,  power  is  almost  always  in  a  state  of  hostility  to 
justice,  and  of  the  Deity  only  can  it  truly  be  said,  that  justice  is  com- 
nienf^i^rate  with  power  ! 

•'  The  Eagle  has  the  several  auxiliaries  to  digestion  and  assimilation  in 
common  with  man.  Tlie  liver  was  unusually  large  in  your  spec'  .it n. 
It  secretes  bile,  whicli  stimulates  the  intestines,  prepares  the  chyle  for 
lilood,  and  by  this  very  secretion  of  bile  (as  it  is  a  deeply  respiring  ani 
mill),  separates  or  removes  scime  obnoxious  i)rinciples  from  the  blood. 
(See  Dr.  Rush's  admirable  lecture  on  this  important  viscus  in  the  human 
subject.)  The  intestines  were  also  large,  long,  convolute,  and  supplied 
with  numerous  lacteal  vessels,  which  differ  little  from  those  of  men,  ex- 
cept in  color,  ^\hich  was  transparent.  The  kidneys  were  large,  and 
seated  on  each  side  the  vertebne,  near  the  anus.  They  are  ahso  destined 
to  secrete  son:e  offensive  princi>)les  Troni  the  blood. 

"  The  eggs  were  small  iind  nuaierous  ;  and  after  a  careful  examination, 
I  concluded  that  no  sensible  increase  takes  place  in  them  till  the  par- 
ticular season.  This  niiiy  account  for  the  unusual  excitement  which 
prevails  in  these  birds  in  tlie  sexual  intercourse.  Why  there  are  so  many 
eggs  is  a  mystery.  It  is  perhaps  consistent  with  natural  law,  that  every- 
thing should  be  abundant ;  but  from  this  bird,  it  is  said,  no  more  than 
two  young  are  hatched  in  a  season,  conse(|uently  no  more  eggs  are 
wanted  than  a  siitticieney  to  produce  that  cfTect.  Are  the  eggs  num- 
licred  originally,  and  is  there  no  increase  of  number,  but  a  gradual  loss, 
till  all  are  deposited  ?  If  so,  the  mimber  may  correspond  to  the  long 
life  and  vigorous  health  of  this  noble  bird.  Why  there  is  but  two  young 
in  a  season,  \a  easily  t-xplained.  ^^ature  has  bi'cn  studiously  parsimoni- 
ous of  her  physical  strength,  from  whence  the  tribes  of  animals  incapa- 
lilc  to  resist,  derive  securky  and  confidence." 

Tlie  Eagle  is  said  to  live  to  a  ;'reat  age,  sixty,  eighty,  and  as  some 
assert,  one  liunilred  years.  This  circuinstanee  is  reinarkabi  >,  when  we 
consider  the  seeming  intemperate  habits  of  the  bird.  Sometimes  fasting 
through  necessity,  for  several  days,  and  at  other  times  gorging  itself 
with  aninuil  food,  till  its  craw  swells  out  the  pluiuage  of  that  part,  form- 
ing a  l.irge  protiiberu'icc  on  the  breast.  This,  however,  is  its  natural 
food,  and  for  these  habits  its  wliole  organizatiini  is  particularly  a<lapted. 
li  has  not,  like  men,  invented  rich  wine  ,  ardent  spirits,  and  a  thousand 
artificial  jioisons,  in  the  form  of  sou|)S,  .^auecs,  and  sweetmeats.    Its  food 


42 


SEA    EAG  LE. 


is  simple,  it  indulges  freely,  uses  great  exercise,  breathes  tho  purest  uir, 
is  healthy,  vigorous  and. long-lived.  The  lords  of  the  creation  themselves 
might  derive  some  useful  hints  from  these  facts,  wore  they  not  already, 
in  general,  too  wise,  or  too  proud,  to  learn  from  their  inferiors,  the  fowls 
of  the  air  and  beasts  of  the  field. 


FALCO    Ol'-^lFliAGUS* 

SEA    EAGLE. 

[Plate  LV.    Fig.  2.]      - 
Sea  Eayle,  Arct.  Zool.  p.  194,  No.  86,  A. 

Tlli.^  eagle  inhabits  the  same  countries,  frequents  tho  same  situation.s, 
and  lives  on  tlie  same  kind  of  food,  as  the  Bald  Eagle,  with  whom  it  is 
often  seen  in  compiuiy.  It  rost'nd)lcs  this  last  so  much  in  figure,  size, 
form  f)f  the  bill,  legs  and  claws,  and  is  so  often  seen  associating  with  it, 
bolli  alimg  tile  Atlantic  coast,  and  in  the  vicinity  of  our  hikes  and  large 
rivers,  that  I  have  strong  suspicions,  notwithstanding  ancient  and  vory 
respectable  authorities  to  the  contrary,  of  its  being  the  same  jupecie-s, 
only  in  a  different  stage  of  color. 

That  several  years  elapse  before  ihe  young  of  tin!  Hald  Eagle  receive 
the  white  head,  neck  and  tail ;  and  that  during  the  intermediate  period 
their  plumage  strongly  resembles  that  of  the  Sea  Eagle,  I  am  satisfied 
from  my  own  observation  on  three  several  birds  kept  by  persons  of  flijs 
city.  One  of  these  belonging  to  the  late  Mr.  Enslen,  collector  of  natu- 
ral subjects  for  the  Emperor  of  Austria,  was  confidently  believed  by  him 
to  be  the  Ulack,  or  Sea  Eagle,  until  the  fourth  year,  when  the  plumage 
on  the  head,  tail  and  tail-coverts,  began  gradually  to  become  white;  the 
bill  also  excliaiigi'd  its  dusky  hue  for  that  of  yellow;  ami  before  its 
death,  this  bird,  which  I  freijuently  examined,  a.ssumed  the  perfect  dre.xs 
of  the  full-jjlumaged  IJald  Eagle.  Another  circumstance  corroboratimr 
these  suspicions,  is  the  variety  that  ot  rurs  in  the  colors  of  the  Sea  Eagle. 
Scarcely  two  of  these  are  found  to  be  alike,  their  plumage  being  more 
or  less  diluted  with  white.  In  some,  tho  chin,  breast  and  tail-coverts, 
are  of  a  deep  brown  ;  in  others  nearly  white ;  and  in  all  evidently  un- 
fixed, and  varying  to  a  pure  while.  Their  [dace  anil  Mianner  of  build- 
ing, on  high  trees,  in  the  neighborhood  of  lakes,  large  rivers,  or  the 
ocean,  exactly  similar  to  the  Hald  Eagle,  also  Htrengthens  the  belief 
At   the  celebrated  cataract  of  Niagara,  great  nundicrs  of  these  bird.s. 


•  Thin  is  not  a  dliitinct  apeciQa,  but  tho  youiij^  of  tho  preceding,  the  Falco  leuci*- 
eephalus. 


SEA    EAGLE. 


43 


called  there  Gray  Eagles,  arc  continually  seen  sailing  high  and  majesti- 
cally over  the  watery  tumult,  in  company  with  the  Bald  Eagles,  eagerly 
watching  for  the  mangled  carcasses  of  those  animals  that  have  been 
hurried  over  the  prcei})ice,  and  cast  up  on  the  rocks  below,  by  the  vio- 
lence of  the  rapiiln.  These  are  some  of  the  circumstances  on  which  iny 
Buspicioiis  of  the  identity  of  those  two  birds  are  founded.  In  some  future 
part  of  the  work,  I  hope  to  be  able  to  speak  with  more  certainty  on  this 
subject. 

Were  we  disposed,  after  the  manner  of  some,  to  substitute  for  plain 
matters  of  fact  all  the  narratives,  conjectures,  and  fanciful  theories  of    . 
travellers,  voyagers,  compilers,  &c.,  relative  to  tbo  history  of  the  Eagle, 
the  volumes  of  these  writers,  from  Aristotle  down  to  his  admirer  the 
Count  de  Hufl'on,  would  furnish  abundant  materials  for  this  purpose. 
But  the  author  of  the  present  work  feels  no  andjition  to  excite  surprise 
and  astonishment  at  the  expense  of  truth,  or  to  attempt  to  elevate  and 
embellish  his  subject  beyond  the  plain  realities  of  nature.     On  this  ac- 
count, he  cannot  assent  to  the  assertion,  however  elo(|uently  made,  in 
the  celebnsted  ])iiraliel  drawn  by  the  Freneb  naturalist  between  the  Lion 
and  the  Eagle,  viz.,  that  the  Eagle,  like  the  Lion,  '"disdains  the  posses- 
sion of  that  property  which  is  not  the  fruit  of  bis  own  industry,  and 
rejects  with  contempt  the  prey  which  is  not  jirocured  l)y  his  own  exer- 
tions ;"   since  the  very  revers(>  of  tliis  is  (he  ease   in  the  conduct  of  the 
Bald  anil  the  S(  .1  Eagle,  who,  during  tin?  sunwuer  montiis,  are  the  con- 
Htant  jtlunderers  of  the  Osprey  or  Fi^h-IIawk,  by  whose  industry  alone 
both  are  usually  fed.      Nor  that  ^'  t/ioiii/h  fiiinished  for  ivant  cj  /'rrif,  he 
JlxihtiiiH  to  feed  on  vnrritm,"  since  we   liave  ourselves  sc-ii    the   Balil 
Eagle,  while  seated  on   the  dead  carcass  of  a  horse,  k         a  whole  Hock 
of  Vultures  at  a  resjyeetful  distance,  until  he  had  fully   ^.ited  hia  own 
apjietite.     The  Count  has  also  taken  great  pains  to  expose  lb.   ridiiU- 
h)us  opinion  of  IMiny,  who  conceived  that  the  Ospreys  formed  no  .-^epa- 
rato  race,  i!.nd  that  they  proceeded  from  the  intermixture  of  difleroni 
species  of    Eagles,   the  young  of   which   were  not   Ospreys,   only   Sea 
Eagles;   '' irliir/i   Snt    Eiii]h»,"   says  he,  '■' bro'd  >i)nalf   VulturcH,  which 
emjcndcr  (jrvnt  I'ulturrtt  that  have  not  the  power  of  propa</ation."*    But, 
while  laboring  to  confute  these  absurdities,  the  Count  himself,  in  his 
belief    if  an  occasional   iritercourse   between  the  Osprey  and  the  Sea 
Eagle,  contradicts  all  aetinil  observation,  and  one  of  the  most  coimnon 
and  fixed  laws  (if  nature;  for  it  may  be  safely  asserted,  that  there  is  no 
habit  more  universal  among  the  feathered  race,  in  their  natural  state, 
than   that  chastity  of  attachment,  whieb   confines  the  au.ours  of  indi- 
viduals to  those  of  their  own  species  only.     Tlnit   perversion  of  nature 
produced  by  domestication  is  nothing  tu  the  purpose.     In  no  instanco 


•  iliat.  Nut.  .;b.  X.,  c.  3. 


.  m 


44 


SEA   EAGLE. 


have  I  ever  observed  the  slightest  appearance  of  a  contrary  conduct. 
Even  in  those  birds  whicli  never  build  a  nest  for  themselves,  nor  hatch 
their  young,  nor  even  pair,  but  live  in  a  state  of  general  concubinage: 
such  as  the  Cuckoo  of  the  old,  and  the  Cow  Bunting  of  the  new  conti- 
nent; there  is  no  instance  of  a  deviation  from  this  striking  habit.  I 
cannot  therefore  avoid  considering  the  opinion  above  alluded  to,  that 
"the  mnle  ()s|;rev  by  coupling  with  the  female  Sea  Eagle  produces  Sea 
Eagles;  mid  that  the  female  Osprcy  by  i)airing  with  the  male  Sea  Eaglo 
gives  birth  to  Ospreys"*  or  Fish-Hawks,  as  altogether  unsupported  by 
facts,  and  contradicted  by  the  constant  and  universal  habits  of  the  whole 
feathered  race  in  their  state  of  nature. 

The  Sea  Kagle  is  said  by  Salerne  to  build  on  the  loftiest  oaks  a  very 
broad  lU'st,  into  which  it  drops  two  largo  eggs,  that  are  quite  rouiul,  ex- 
ceedingly heavy,  and  of  a  dirty  white  color.  Of  the  precise  time  of 
building  we  have  no  accouiit,  but  snuicihing  may  be  'di'dueed  from  the 
following  eireumstanee.  Jn  the  month  of  May,  while  on  a  shooting  ex- 
cursion along  the  sea-coast,  not  far  from  Cireat  Egg  Harbor,  accompa- 
nied by  my  friend  Mr.  Ord,  we  Mere  conducted  about  a  mile  into  the 
woods,  to  SCI'  an  Eagle's  nest.  On  approaching  within  a  short  distance 
of  the  place,  the  bird  was  perceived  slowly  retreating  from  the  nest, 
which  we  found  occupied  the  centre  of  the  top  of  a  very  large  yellow 
pine.  The  woods  were  cut  down,  and  cleared  off  for  several  rods  around 
the  spot,  which,  from  this  circumstance,  and  tlic  stately  erect  trunk,  and 
large  crooked  wriggling  branches  of  the  tree,  surmounted  by  a  black 
mass  of  sticks  and  brush,  had  a  very  singular  and  picturesque  effect. 
Our  conductor  had  brought  an  axe  with  him  to  cut  down  the  tree;  but 
my  companion,  anxious  to  i-ave  the  eggs,  or  young,  insisted  on  ascendjug 
to  the  nest,  which  he  fearlessly  jierformed,  while  we  stationed  ourselves 
below,  ready  to  defend  him  in  case  of  an  attack  from  the  old  Eagles. 
No  opposition,  however,  was  offered  ;  and  on  reaching  the  nest,  it  was 
found,  to  (uir  disappointment,  empty.  It  was  built  of  large  sticks,  smne 
of  them  '  everal  feet  in  length;  within  which  lay  sod.-,  of  i-anh,  sedgi', 
grass,  d»y  reed.s,  &c.,  &c.,  jjiled  to  the  height  of  five  or  six  feet,  by  more 
than  foir  in  breadth  ;  it  wius  well  linetl  with  fresh  pine  toji-,  and  had  little 
or  no  concavity.  I'nder  this  lining  lay  the  ree.  i  t  exnviic  of  the  young 
of  the  present  year,  sucii  ax  scales  of  the  ({iiiil  feathers,  down,  &c.  Our 
guide  had  passed  this  place  late  in  February,  at  which  time  both  male 
and  female  wen  nniking  a  great  n(»ise  about  the  nest  ;  antl  from  what 
we  afterwards  learnt,  it  is  highly  probable  it  contained  young,  even  at 
that  early  time  of  the  season. 

A  few  milc.<  from  this  is  another  Eagle's  nest,  built  also  on  a  pine 
tree,  whicli,  from   the  information   received  from   the  proprietor  of  tho 


•  BulTon,  vol.  I.,  p.  80,  Tmn«. 


1^^  ; 


i!     • 


i 


l.M 


SEA    EAGLE. 


45 


wooils,  had  been  long  the  residence  of  this  family  of  Eagles.  The  tree 
on  which  the  nest  was  originally  built  had  been  for  time  immemorial,  or 
at  least  ever  since  he  remembered,  inhabited  by  these  Eagles.  Some  of 
his  sons  cut  down  this  tree  to  procure  the  young,  which  were  two  in 
number ;  and  the  Eagles  soon  after  commenced  building  another  nest  on 
the  very  next  adjoining  tree,  thus  exhibiting  a  very  particular  attach- 
ment to  tho  spot.  The  Eagles,  he  says,  make  it  a  kind  of  home  and 
lodping  place  in  all  seasons.  This  man  asserts,  that  the  Gray,  or  Sea 
Eagles,  are  the  young  of  tho  Bald  Eagle,  and  that  they  are  several 
years  old  before  they  begin  to  breeil.  It  does  not  drive  its  young  from 
the  nest  like  the  Osprey,  or  Fish-llawk ;  but  continues  to  feed  them 
long  after  they  leave  it. 

•  The  bird  from  which  the  figure  in  the  plate  was  drawn,  and  which  is 
reduced  to  one-third  the  nize  of  life,  measured  three  feet  in  length,  and 
upwards  of  seven  feet  in  extent.  The  bill  was  formed  exactly  like  that 
of  the  Bald  Eagle,  but  of  a  dusky  brown  color ;  cere  and  legs  bright 
yellow  ;  tho  latter  as  in  the  Bald  Eagle,  feathered  a  little  below  the 
knee;  irides  a  bright  ^'t^aw  color;  bead  above,  neck  and  back  streaked 
with  light  brown,  (K'e|)  brown  and  white,  tlie  plumage  being  white,  tipped 
and  riM.t'"ed  with  brown  ;  scapulars  brown ;  lesser  wing-coverts  very 
|,aie,  intermixed  with  white;  })rimaries  black,  their  shafts  brownish 
white  ;  rump  pale  brownish  wiiite ;  tail  rounded,  somewhat  longer  than 
tiio  wings  when  shut,  brown  on  the  exterior  vanes,  the  inner  ones  white, 
sprinkled  with  dirty  brown  ;  throat,  breast  and  belly,  white,  dashed  and 
streaked  with  diflVreMt  tints  of  brown  and  ])ale  yellow;  vent  brown, 
tipped  with  white;  feinorals  dark  brown,  tippt'd  with  lighter;  auricidars 
l)r<)wn,  forming  a  bar  from  beh)W  the  eye  backwards  ;  plumage  of  the 
neck  hnig,  narrow  and  pointed,  as  is  usual  witli  the  Eagles,  and  of  a 
brownish  color  tipped  with  white. 

The  Sea  Eagle  is  said  by  various  authors  to  hunt  at  night  as  well  as 
during  the  ilay  ;  and  tiiat  besides  tish  it  feeds  on  cliiekens,  birds,  liares 
and  other  animals.  It  is  also  said  to  catch  tish  during  the  night  ;  and 
tiiat  the  noise  of  its  plunging  into  the  water  is  beanl  at  a  great  distance. 
Hut  in  the  deserijttions  of  these  writers  tiiis  bird  has  lic'U  so  fr(Mjuently 
coiifounihMl  witli  the  Osprey,  as  to  Unive  little  (huibt  that  the  habits  and 
ntanners  of  tlie  one  have  been  often  attributed  to  both  ;  and  others 
added  that  are  eonunoii  to  neither. 


>  -Km 


NoTK — In  Wilson's  history  of  the  ISald  Eagle,  he  confidently  assets 
that  it  is  the  same  species  as  the  Sea  Kagle,  in  a  dift'erent  stage  of  color. 
In  his  account  of  the  latt«'r,  be  adduces  adilitional  n  asons  foj-  his  belief, 
which  is  at  variance  with  the  ojiinions  of  some  of  the  most  respectable 
naturalists  of  Eurojte.  \Ve  liave  no  hesitation,  from  our  own  experience, 
in  pronouncing  these  birds  to  be  the  same ;  and  deem  it  unnecessary  to 


sa«*pi^ 


I 


46 


SEA    EAGLE. 


add  anything  further  on  the  subject,  as   the  reasoning  of  Wilson  ia 
conclusive. 

Our  author  describes  an  Eagle's  nest,  which  he  visited,  in  company 
with  the  writer  of  this  article,  on  the  eighteenth  of  May,  1812.  It  was 
then  empty ;  but  from  every  appearance  a  brood  had  been  hatched  and 
reared  in  it  that  season.  The  following  year,  on  the  first  day  of 
March,  a  friend  of  ours  took  from  the  same  nest  three  eggs,  the  largest 
of  which  measured  three  inches  and  a  quarter  in  length,  two  and  a 
quarter  in  diameter,  upwards  of  seven  in  eircimiferetiee,  and  wcigluMl 
four  ounces  five  drams,  apothecaries  weight ;  the  tidor  a  dirty  yMlowisli 
white — one  was  of  a  very  pale  bluish  white;  the  young  were  perfectly 
formed.  Such  was  the  solicitude  of  the  female  to  preserve  her  eggs,  that 
she  did  not  abandon  the  nest,  until  several  blows,  with  an  axe,  had  been 
siven  the  tree. 

In  the  history  of  Lewis  and  Clark's  Expedition,  we  find  the  following 
account  of  an  Eagle's  nest,  which  must  have  added  not  a  little  to  the 
picturesque  effect  of  tiie  magnificent  scenery  at  the  Falls  of  the  Mis- 
souri : 

"  Just  below  the  upper  pitch  is  a  little  island  in  the  middle  of  the 
river,  well  covered  with  timber.  Here  on  a  cottonwood  tree  an  Eaglo 
had  fixed  its  nest,  and  seemed  the  undisputed  mistress  of  a  spot,  to 
contest  whose  dominion  neither  man  nor  beast  would  venture  across  the 
gulfs  that  surround  it,  and  whieli  is  further  secured  by  the  mist  rising 
from  the  falls."* 

The  Bald  Eagle  was  obscrvcil,  by  Lewis  and  Clark,  during  their  whole 
route  to  the  Pacific  Oeean. 

It  may  gratify  some  of  our  readers  to  be  informed,  that  the  opinion 
of  Tcmminck  loincides  with  ours  respecting  the  identity  of  our  Hald 
and  Sea  Eagles;  but  he  states  that  the  Fali'o  dHiiifnri/uK  of  (iniclin, 
the  Sea  Eagle  of  Latham,  is  the  young  of  the  Falro  aliii'Uhi^  which  in 
its  first  year  so  nnieh  resembles  th(>  yearling  of  the  leueoci'iihalus,  that 
it  is  very  difTicult  to  distinguish  them. — Note  by  Mr.  Ord. 

•  Ifist.  of  ilio  Expcd.  vol.  !.,  p.  264. 


)     ' 


Sviicit.sY.  FALCO  FULVUS. 

RING-TAIL  EAGLE. 

[Plate  LV.    Fig.  1,  young  bird.] 

Linn.  Syst.  cd.  10,  p.  iiS.-Hlack  Faijle,  Aid.  Zool.  p.  lOf),  No.  87.— Lath,  i.,  32 
No.  6. —  While-tailed  Faijle,  Edw.  i.,  1. —  L' Aiyle  Commun,  Buff,  i.,  .SO.  PI 
Enl.  409.— Behrk,  i.,  p.  49. 

The  roiiilcr  is  now  presented  with  a  portrait  of  this  celebrated  Eagle, 
drawn  from  a  fine  specimen  shot  in  the  county  of  Montgomery,  Penn- 
sylvania. The  figure  here  given,  though  reduced  to  one-third  the  size 
of  life,  is  strongly  characteristic  of  its  original.  With  respect  to  the 
habits  of  the  species,  such  particulars  only  shall  be  selecteil  as  are  well 
authenticated,  rejecting  whatever  seems  vague,  or  savors  too  much  of 
the  marvellous. 

This  Tioble  bird,  in  strength,  spirit  and  activity,  ranks  among  the 
first  of  its  tribe.  It  is  found,  tliough  sparingly  dispersed,  over  the 
whole  temperate  and  arctic  regions,  particularly  the  latter ;  breeding 
on  high  precipitous  rocks;  always  preferring  a  mountainous  country. 
In  its  general  appearance  it  has  great  resemblance  to  the  Golden  Eagle, 
from  which,  however,  it  differs  in  being  rather  less;  as  also  in  the 
colors  and  markings  of  the  tail ;  and,  as  it  is  said,  in  being  less  noisy. 
When  young,  the  color  of  the  body  is  considerably  lighter,  but  deepens 
into  a  blackish  brown  as  it  advances  in  age. 

The  tail  feathers  of  this  bird  are  highly  valued  by  the  various  tribes 
of  American  Indians,  for  ornamenting  their  calumets,  or  Pipes  of  Peace. 
Several  of  thes<!  pipes,  which  were  brought  from  the  remote  regions 
of  Louisiana  by  Captain  Lewis,  were  deposited  in  Peale'a  Museum, 
each  of  \Nhich  luid  a  number  of  the  tail  feathers  of  this  bird  attached 
to  it.  The  Northern  as  well  as  Southern  Iiidians  seem  lo  follow  the 
like  practice,  as  appears  by  the  numerous  calumet.H,  formerly  belonging 
to  different  tribes. 

Pennant  informs  us.  that  the  independent  Tartars  train  this  Eagle 
for  the  chase  of  hares,  foxes,  wolves,  antelopes,  itc,  and  that  they 
esteem  the  feathers  of  the  tail  the  best  for  pluming  their  arrows.  The 
King-tail  Eagle  is  characterized  by  all  as  a  generous-spirited  and  docile 
bird;  and  various  extraordinary  incidents  :ire  related  of  it  by  different 
writers,  not,  however,  sufficiently  authenticated  to  (h'serve  repetition. 
The  truth  is,  the  solitary  habits  of  the  P^agle  now  before  us,  the  vast 
inaccessible  cliffs  to  which  it  usually  retires,  united  with  the  scarcity  of 
the  species  in  those  regions  inhabited  by  man,  all  coiiibine  to  render  a 

(47) 


w 


«! 


'  I'     ''"I 


48 


UING-TAIL    EAGLE. 


particular  knowledge  of  its  manners  very  difRcult  to  bo  obtained.  Tlib 
autlior  lias,  once  or  twice,  ob.served  tlii.s  bird  sailing  along  tlic  alpino 
declivities  of  tbe  Wbite  Mountains  of  New  Ilanipsliire,  early  in  October, 
and  again,  over  the  Highlands  of  Hudson's  river,  not  far  from  West 
Point.  Its  llight  was  easy,  in  high  circuitous  sweeps,  its  broad  white 
tail,  tipped  with  brown,  expanded  like  a  fan.  Near  the  settlements  on 
Hudson's  Bay  it  is  more  common  ;  anil  is  said  to  prey  on  liares,  and 
the  various  species  of  Grouse  which  uhouml  there.  IJuffon  observes, 
that  though  other  Eagles  also  prey  upon  hares,  this  species  is  a  more 
fatal  enemy  to  those  timid  animals,  "'ich  are  the  constant  object  of 
their  search,  and  the  prey  which  they  prefer.  The  Latins,  after  Pliny, 
termed  the  Eagle  Valeria,  quasi  va/nis  ririlms,  because  of  its  strength, 
which  appears  greater  than  that  of  the  other  Eagles  in  proportion  to  its 
size. 

The  Ring-tail  Eagle  measures  nearly  three  feet  in  length  ;  the  bill  ig 
of  a  brownish  horn  color;  the  cere,  sides  of  the  mouth  and  feet  yellow; 
iris  of  the  eye  reddish  hazel,  tiie  eye  turned  considerably  foi wards; 
eyebrow  remarkably  prominent,  projecting  over  the  eye,  and  giving  a 
peculiar  sternness  to  the  aspect  of  the  bird ;  the  crown  is  Hat ;  the 
plumage  of  the  bead,  thn^at  and  neck,  long  and  pointed ;  that  on  the 
upper  part  of  the  heail  and  neck  very  pale  ferruginous  ;  fore  part  of 
tlie  crown  liiack  ;  all  the  pointe<l  feathers  are  sliafteil  with  black  ;  whole 
upper  parts  dark  blackish  broWTi ;  wings  black  ;  tail  rounded,  long,  of 
a  white  or  pale  cream  color  minutely  sjirinklcd  with  sjiecks  of  ash  ami 
dusky,  and  ending  in  a  broad  band  of  deep  dark  brown,  of  nearly  one- 
third  its  length  ;  chin,  cheeks  and  throat,  black  ;  whole  lower  piirts  n 
deep  dark  brown,  excej.t  the  vent  and  inside  of  the  thighs,  which  are 
white,  stained  with  brown  ;  legs  thickly  covered  to  the  fi'ct  witii  brownish 
white  down  or  feathers;  claws  Iilack,  very  large,  sharp  and  forniidable, 
the  hind  one  full  two  inches  long. 

The  King-tail  Eagle  is  fouml  in  Kussia,  Switzerland,  (jiermany, 
France,  Scotland,  ami  the  northern  jtarts  of  America;  As  Marco  Polo, 
in  his  descri|iti(in  of  the  customs  of  the  Tartars,  s*H>ms  to  allude  to  this 
species,  it  may  be  saiil  to  iid:abit  the  wliule  circuit  of  the  arctic  regions 
of  the  globe.  The  (Jidden  Eagle,  on  tin-  contrary,  is  said  to  hi;  found 
only  in  the  more  warm  and  temperate  countries  of  the  ancient  con- 
tinent.* Later  discoveries,  however,  have  ascertained  it  to  be  also  an 
iidiabitant  of  the  I'niteil  States. f 


•  RiifTfin.  viil,  i.,  p.  .'ifi.  Trims. 

t  Niitiirali.'<t«  liciii);  now  of  opinion  Ihiit  the  Hingtail  Ka^lo  and  the  Golden  V.nfuh 
are  the  siimc.  wo  iidil  the  folinwinf;  HynoiiymeB: — Vetlairhedileil  Koijle,  Arct.  Xool. 
X„,  SO.  lJ.—  (;„l,ltn  h'a'jlr.  Lath.  Si/h.  1,  M,  No.  5.—/'/  lud.  4U).—Fa!-o  fulniit. 
Ind.  Orn.  i.,  No  4  :  /'.  '■hn/mi'los.  Id.  No.  8  ;  F.  mrlaiKinotiia,  Id.  No.  26 ;  /■'. 
melanTetvi,  Id.  No.  3. — Aiyle  roi/at,  Tkm  i    }fiin.  d'Om.  i.,  p  M. 


"'J  t 
♦  I' 


Specibs  VI.    FALCO  HALLETFS. 

FISH-HAWK,  OR  OSPREY. 

[Plate  X'XXTII.    Fig.  1.] 

Carolina  Osprq/,  Lath.  S;/ii.  i.,  p.  4C>,  No.  '2C>,  A. —  Falco  /V.icrt'or,  Briss.  i.,  p.  3f>l, 
No.  14;  .'!t)2.  No.  15. —  Faiicon  pCcheiir  de  la  CaroUae,  Buff,  i.,  p.  142. — Fishing 
Hawk,  Catehii.  Car.  i.,  p.  2. — Falxi  Carolinenxia,  Ghei..  Sy»t.  i,,  p.  203,  No.  26.* 

TilTS  formidablp,  vigorous-winged,  and  well-known  bird  subsistH 
altogotlicr  on  tlu>  finny  tribes  that  swarni  in  our  liay.s,  creek.'*,  and  river.s  ; 
procuring  his  prey  by  his  own  active  skill  and  industry  ;  and  seeming 
no  farther  dependent  on  the  land  tlian  as  a  mere  resting-place,  or  in  the 
usual  season,  a  spot  of  deposit  for  his  nest,  eggs  and  young.  The 
figure  here  given  is  reduced  to  one-third  the  size  of  life,  to  correspond 
with  that  of  the  Bald  Eagle,  his  common  attendant,  and  constant  plun- 
derer. 

The  Fi.sh-TTawk  is  migratory  ;  arriving  on  the  coasts  of  New  York 
and  New  Jersey  about  the  twenty-first  of  March,  anil  retiring  to  the 
south  about  the  twenty-second  of  September.  Heavy  equiiioetial  storms 
may  vary  these  periods  of  arrival  and  departure  a  few  days ;  but  long 
observation  has  ascertained,  that  they  are  kept  with  remarkable  regu- 
larity. On  the  arrival  of  these  birds  in  the  northern  parts  of  tin- 
United  States,  i:)  March,  they  sometimes  find  the  bays  and  ponds  froz«'n, 
and  experience  a  difiiculty  in  procuring  fish  for  many  days.  Yet  there 
is  no  instance  on  record  of  their  attacking  birds,  or  inferior  land  animals, 
with  intent  to  feed  upon  them  ;  though  tiu-ir  great  strength  .)f  fiight, 
as  well  as  of  feet  and  claws,  would  soem  to  render  this  no  dillieult  matter. 
Hut  they  no  sooner  arrive,  than  they  wage  war  on  the  JJald  Eagles,  as 
against  a  horde  of  robbers  and  banditti ;  sometimes  8ucceeding,by  force 
of  numbers  and  perseverance,  in  driving  them  from  their  haunts ;  but 
sehlom  or  never  attacking  them  in  single  com')at. 

The  first  appearaTice  of  the  Fish-Hawk  in  spring,  is  welcomed  by 
the  fishermen,  a,s  a  happy  signal  of  the  approai-h  of  those  vast  shoals 
(if  herring,  shad,  &e.  kc,  that  regularly  arrive  on  our  coasts,  and  enter 
our  rivers  in  sucii  prodigious  multitudes.  Two  of  a  trade,  it  is  said, 
seldom  agr»?e  ;  the  adage,  however,  will  not  hold  good  in  the  present 
case,  for  such  is  tho  respect  paid  the  Kish-Hawk  not  only  by  this  elius.s 

*  Th«  foUowiri)?  synonyincs  may  bo  adJod :   Le  Ralhuzard,  Bi'fk.  PL   Fnl.  414. 
Aquihi  imiatrix,  Vifili.ot,  Ois.del'Am.  Sq>t.  v.  i.,  p.  21),  pi.  4. 
Vol..  I.— 4  (49) 


U  ! 


60 


FISII-IIAWK,    OK   OS  PREY. 


of  men,  but  jioncrally,  hy  tlic  wliolo  noigliborliood  wliore  it  iwidos,  fliat 
a  person  who  slmuld  attempt  to  shoot  one  of  thcin,  would  stand  a  fair 
chance  of  being  insulted.  This  prepossession  in  favor  of  the  Fish- 
Hawk  is  honorable  to  their  feelings.  Tliey  associate  with  its  first 
appearanee  ideas  of  pb'nty,  and  all  the  gaiety  of  business ;  they  see  it 
active  and  industrious  like  themselves  ;  inofl'ensive  to  the  produetioiis  of 
their  farms ;  building  with  confidence,  and  without  the  least  disposition 
to  concealment,  in  the  middle  of  their  fields,  and  along  their  fences; 
and  returnii;g  year  after  year  regularly  to  its  former  abode. 

The  nest  of  the  Fish-IIawk  is  usually  built  on  the  top  of  a  dead  or 
decaying  tree,  .sometimes  not  more  than  fifteen,  often  upwards  of  fifty 
feet,  from   the  ground.     It  lias  been   remarked   by   the   people  of  the 
scacoasts,  that  the  most  thriving  tree  will  die  in  a  few  years,  after  beiiif 
taken  posse.ssion  of  by  the  Fisli-Ilawk.     This  is  attributed  to  the  fish- 
oil,  an<l  to  the  e-xcrements  of  the  bird  ;  but  is  more  probably  occasioned 
by  the  large  heap  of  wet,  salt  materials,  of  which  it  is  usually  composed. 
In  my  late  excursions  to  the  eeashore  I  ascended  to  .several  of  these 
nests,  that  had  been  built  in  from  year   to  year,  and  found  tliem  con- 
structed lus  follows;  externally  large  stick.s,  from  half  an   inch   to  an 
inch  and  a  half  in  diameter,  and  two  or  three  feet  in  length,  ])iled  to 
the  height  of  four  or  five  feet,  and  tVom  two  to  three  feet  in  breadth; 
these   were  intermixed  with  corn-stalks,  sea-weed,  pieces  of  wet  turf 
in  large  quantities,  mullein-stalka,  and  lined  with  dry  sea-grass;  the 
whole  forming  a  mass   very   observable  at   half  a  mile's  distance,  and 
large  enough  to  fill  a  cart,  and  form  no  inconsiderable  load  for  a  horse. 
These  materials  are  so  well  put  together,  as  often  to  adhere  in  large 
fragments  after  being  blown  down  by  the  wind.     My  learned  and  oblig- 
ing correspondent  of  New  York,  Dr.  Samuc'  L.  Mitehill,  (d)scrves,  that 
"A  sort  of  superstition  is  entertained  in  regard  to  the  Fish-Hawk.     It 
has  been  considered  a  fortunate  incident  to  have  a  nest,  and  a  j)air  of 
the.sc  birds,  on  one's  farm.     They  have  therefore  been  generally  res- 
pected ;  and  neither  the  axe  nor  the  gun  has  been  lifteil   against  them. 
Their  nest  continues  from  year  to  year.      The  sauu-  coujile,  or  another 
as  the  case  may  be,  occupies  it  season  after  season.     Repairs  are  duly 
made,  or  when  demolished  by  storms  it   is  industriously  rebuilt.     There 
was  one  of  tliese  nests,  formerly  upon    the  leafless  summit  of  a  vener- 
able chestnut-tree,  <m  our  farm.  <lirertly  in   front  of  the  house,  at  the 
distance  of  less   than   a  half  mile.      The  withered   trunk  and   bouglis, 
Hurmounted    by   the   coarse  wrought    and   capacious   nest,  was  a  more 
pictures(|ue  object  than  an  obelisk.      And   the  fiights  of  the   Hawks  as 
they   went  forth   to  hunt — leturneil  with   their  game — exercised  theni- 
Belves  in  wheeling  round  and  mnnd  and  circling  abiut  it,  were  amusing 
to  the  beholder  almost   from   morning  to  night.     The  family  of  these 
Hawks,  old  and  young,  was  killed  liv  the  Hessian  Jaifcrs.     A  succeeding 


FISH-IIAWK,    OR    OSPllEY.  51 

pair  took  posscBsion  of  tlic  nesi ;  but  in  the  course  of  time,  the  prongs 
of  the  trunk  po  rotted  away,  tiwit  the  nest  could  no  longer  be  sup- 
ported. The  Hawks  have  been  obliged  to  seek  new  quarters.  We  have 
lost  this  part  of  our  prospect ;  and  our  trees  have  not  afforded  a  con- 
venient site  for  one  of  their  habitations  since." 

About  the  first  of  May  the  fenuile  Fish-IIawk  begins  to  lay  her  eggs, 
wl  ch  are  commonly  three  in  number,  sometimes  only  two,  and  rarely 
four.  They  are  somew  it  larger  than  those  of  tlie  common  htm,  and 
nearly  of  the  same  shape.  Tlie  ground  color  varies,  in  diflerent  eggs, 
from  a  reddish  cream,  to  nearly  a  white,  splashed  and  daubed  all  over 
with  dark  Spanish  brown,  as  if  done  by  art.*  During  the  time  tho 
female  is  sitting,  the  male  frefjuently  supj)lies  lier  with  fisli ;  though  she 
occasionally  takes  a  short  circuit  to  sea  herself,  but  quickly  returns 
again.  The  attention  of  tho  nuile,  on  such  occasions,  is  regulated  by 
tho  circumstances  of  tho  case.  A  pair  of  these  birds,  on  the  south  side 
of  Great  Egg  Harbor  river,  and  near  its  mouth,  were  noted  for  several 
years.  Tiie  female  having  but  one  leg  wius  regularly  furnished,  while 
Bitting,  with  fish  in  such  aliumlance,  that  she  sehhtm  left  the  nest,  and 
never  to  seek  for  food.  This  kindness  was  continued  both  before  and 
after  inculiation.  Some  animals  who  claim  the  name  and  rationality 
of  man  might  blush  at  the  recital  of  this  fact.  * 

On  the  appearance  of  the  young,  whidi  is  usually  about  the  last 
of  Juno,  the  zeal  and  watchfulness  of  the  j)arent8  arc  extreme.  They 
stand  guard,  and  go  ofi'  to  fish,  alternately  ;  one  parent  being  always 
within  a  short  distance  of  the  nest.  On  tlie  near  approach  of  any 
person,  the  Ifawk  utters  a  plaintive  whistling  note,  which  becomea 
shriller  sm  she  takes  to  wing,  ami  sails  around,  sometimes  making  a 
rapid  descent,  as  if  aiming  ilirectly  for  you  ;  but  checking  her  course 
and  sweeping  past  at  a  short  distance  overhead,  her  wings  making  a 
loud  whizzing  in  the  air.  My  worthy  friend  Mr.  Gardiner  informs  mo, 
that  they  have  been  known  to  fix  their  clav-s  in  a  negro's  head,  who 
wa.s  attempting   to  elinib   to   their   nest ;   and   I   had  lately  a   [iroof  of 


*  Of  tlio  puliitalili'npHH  of  ihi'so  o^ijs  I  cannot  spoak  from  pprsoniil  oxperienco; 
liiit  fill'  followiiii;  iiii'iili'iit  will  kIkiw  tli;it  tho  ("xperiiiient  has  iiotuiilly  heen  iiiado. 
A  ciiinitry  ffllow.  iiciir  Ciipi-  May,  on  liis  way  to  u  ni'ifilihoritiL:  tavern,  passiti;;  a 
trf(!  on  which  was  a  Fish-IIuwk'K  nest,  itiiniciliati'ly  mmintcil  ami  rol)t»'il  it  of  tli« 
only  pjljr  it  oontaiimtl,  which  lie  cai-rii'il  with  liiin  to  tlie  tiivcrii.  iiml  di'sirt'd  tht> 
liiiuiloni  to  make  it  into  niij-nnijij.  'rin-  tavern  keeper,  alter  a  few  wry  faeen,  eoiii- 
iiliedwith  his  ref|uest,  and  the  fellow  swallowed  the  oordial  ;  Imt,  whether  from 
it«  effeetH  on  the  olfactory  nerves  (for  he  said  it  smelt  abomiimhly)  the  iniH;;ination, 
or  on  th(^  Ntoiiiaeh  alniie,  is  uncertain,  it  oporated  as  ii  most  outrajreoiis  enietio, 
and  cured  the  man,  for  that  time  at  least,  of  his  thirst  for  finz-iwijij.  What  is 
rather  extraordinary,  the  landlord  (Mr.  Rea.sley)  assured  mo,  that  to  all  appearaiKa 
the  egg  was  perfectly  fresh. 


62 


FISH-IIAWR,    OR    OSPREY. 


their  daring  spirit  in  thin  wiiy,  though  the  kindnews  of  a  friend,  rcHidcnt 
for  a  few  weeks  at  (Jreat  Kgg  IIarl)()r.  I  IiikI  reque.sted  of  him  the 
favor  to  transmit  me.  if  possible,  a  live  Kish-Hawk,  for  the  purpose  of 
making  a  drawing  of  it,  whieh  commission  ho  very  faithfully  executed  ; 
and  I  think  I  cannot  better  illustrate  this  part  of  the  bird's  character 
than  by  quoting  hia  letter  at  largo. 


'■  UiAsi.Kv's,  Groat  Kg^  Harbor,  Juno  '{Qth,  1811. 


Sir, 


"Mr.  Beasley  ami  I  went  to  reconnoitre  a  Fish-Hawk's  nest  on 
Thursdiiy  afternoon.  When  I  wxs  at  the  nest  I  was  struck  with  so  great 
violence,  on  the  crown  of  tho  hat,  that  I  thougiit  a  hole  was  made  in  it. 
I  had  ascended  fearlessly,  and  never  dreamt  of  being  attacked.  I  camo 
down  quickly,  'riiere  were  in  the  nest  three  young  ones  about  the  size 
of  pullet-",  which,  tiiougii  full  feathered,  were  unable  to  (ly.  On  Friday 
morning  I  went  again  to  tho  nest  to  got  a  young  one,  which  I  thought 
I  could  nurse  to  a  consideral)le  growth,  suflicient  to  answer  your  purpose, 
if  I  could  fail  to  pr(tcure  an  ohl  oik',  which  was  representeil  to  me  as 
almost  impossible,  on  account  of  his  shyness,  and  the  danger  from  his 
dreadful  claws.  On  taking  a  young  one  I  intended  to  lay  a  couple  of 
snares  in  the  nest,  for  which  purpose  I  had  a  strong  cord  in  my  pocket. 
The  old  birds  were  on  the  tree  when  Captain  II.  and  I  approacheil  it. 
As  a  defence,  profiting  by  the  experience  of  yesterilay,  I  took  a  walk- 
ing stick  with  me.  Wlicti  I  was  about  half  up  the  tree,  the  bird  I  send 
Vou  struck  at  me  repeatedly  with  violence;  be  flew  round  in  a  small 
circle,  darting  at  uie  at  every  circuit,  and  I  striking  at  him.  Observing 
th.at  he  always  described  a  circle  in  tho  air,  before  ho  came  at  me,  I 
kept  a  hawk's  eye  upon  him,  and  the  monrent  he  j)assed  me.  I  availeil 
niys<'If  uf  the  opportunity  to  ascend.  When  immediately  under  the 
nest,  I  hesitated  at  the  formidable  (.pjiosition  I  met,  as  bis  rage  ap- 
pcarcfl  to  increase  with  my  presumption  in  invading  his  premises.  But 
I  mounteil  to  the  nest.  At  that  moment  he  flarted  directly  at  me  with 
all  bis  force,  whizzing  throu;rli  the  air ;  his  chob-r  apparently  rcMloublcd. 
Fortunately  for  me,  I  struck  bin)  on  the  extreme  joint  of  the  right 
wing  with  my  stick,  which  brought  him  to  the  ground.  During  this 
contest  the  female  was  Hying  round  and  round  at  a  ro.'pectful  ilistance. 
Ca|)tain  II.  held  him  till  I  tied  my  lundkerchicf  about  his  b'gs ;  the 
captain  felt  the  eflect  of  his  claws.  I  brought  away  a  young  one  to 
keep  the  old  one  in  a  good  humor.  I  put  them  in  a  very  largo  cooj) ; 
tho  young  one  ate  some  fish,  when  broken  atid  put  into  its  throat ;  but 
the  olil  one  would  not  eat  for  two  days.  He  continued  sullen  and  obsti- 
nate, hardly  changing  his  position.  He  walks  about  now,  and  is 
approaclK'd  withi;ut  danger;  he  takes  very  little  notice  of  tho  young 
one.     A  Joseph  Smith,  working  \n  the  field  where  this  nest  is,  had  the 


FI8II-IIAWK,   OK   OSI'llKY. 


58 


cnrioHity  to  po  up  to  look  at  the  fj^j^s ;  the  bird  uliiwod  liis  fiico  in  a 
idiockiiig  inaniicr ;  his  t-yo  had  a  narrow  cm'uiio.  1  am  told  that  it  hai< 
novor  broil  con»i(h'ri'd  (hingi-rourt  to  approach  u  llawkV  iirnt.  If  tliis  bo 
BO,  thiH  bird'fl  charaet<>r  in  peculiar ;  bin  afTection  for  hi»  young,  and  liiH 
valiant  oppoHition  to  an  invasion  of  bis  nest,  entit  o  him  to  conspiuuouH 
notice.  Hois  the  /V/H<r  of  Kish-llawks;  liis  chara<'ter  and  bin  por- 
trait seem  worthy  of  being  banded  to  the  historic  muse.  A  Hawk  more 
worthy  of  thu  hotior  which  awaits  him  could  not  have  been  found.  I 
hope  no  accident  will  happen  to  him,  and  that  he  nniy  fully  aimwer  your 
purpose.  "  i'ours, 

"TiioMAH  Smith. 
"  This  moridng  the  female  was  flying  to  and  fro,  making  a  mournful 
noise." 


The  young  of  the  Fish-Hawk  are  remarkable  for  remaining  long  in* 
the  nest  before  they  attempt  to  fly.  Mr.  Smith's  letter  is  dated  June 
yOth,  at  which  time,  he  observes,  they  were  as  large  as  pullt;ts,  and  full 
feathered.  Seventeen  days  after,  I  myself  ascended  to  this  same  Hawk's 
nest,  where  I  found  the  two  remaining  young  ones  seeming  full  grown. 
They  made  no  attempts  to  fly,  though  they  both  placed  themselves  in  a 
stern  po  ture  of  defence,  as  I  examined  tiiem  at  my  leisure.  The  female 
hud  procure<l  a  hi-coiuI  helpmate  ;  Imt  lie  did  not  seem  to  inherit  the 
spirit  of  his  predecessor,  for  like  a  true  step-fat lier,  he  left  the  nest  at 
my  apinnach,  and  sailed  aixiut  at  a  safe  distance  with  his  unite,  who 
showf"  great  anxiety  and  distress  during  the  whole  of  my  visit.  •  It  is 
universally  asserted  by  the  people  of  the  neighborhood  where  these 
birds  breed,  that  the  young  renuiin  so  long  before  they  fly,  that  the  pa- 
rents are  obligeil  at  last  to  compel  them  to  shift  for  themselves,  beating 
them  with  their  wings,  and  driving  ibcm  from  the  nest.  I5ut  that  they 
continue  to  assist  them  even  after  this,  I  know  to  be  a  fact  from  my 
own  observation,  as  I  have  seen  the  young  bird  uieet  its  parent  in  the 
air,  anil  receive  from  liim  the  (ish  he  carried  in  his  claws. 

The  flight  of  the  Fish-Hawk,  bis  manccuvres  while  in  search  of  flsh, 
and  bis  manner  of  seizing  his  jirey,  are  deserving  of  |)articular  notice. 
In  leaving  the  nest  be  usually  flies  direct  till  he  conies  to  the  sea,  then 
sails  around  in  easy  curving  lines,  turning  sometimes  in  the  air  as  on  a 
pivot,  appiirently  without  the  least  exertion,  rarely  moving  the  wings, 
his  legs  extended  in  a  straight  line  behind,  and  his  remarkable  length 
and  curvature  or  bend  of  wing,  distingui.^bing  him  from  all  other  Hawks. 
The  height  at  which  lie  lliiis  elegantly  glide.'  is  various,  from  one  hun- 
dred to  one  hundred  and  tifly,  and  two  hundred  fct,  sonn-times  much 
higher,  ail  the  while  calmly  reconnoitring  the  face  of  tiie  deep  below. 
Suddenly  he  is  seen  to  check  bis  course,  as  if  struck  by  a  particular 
ebject,  which  he  seems  to  survey  for  a  few  moments  with  such  steudsncss 


;«> 


smmms 


LJJM^'^ 


64 


FISIl-HAWK,    OR    OSPREY. 


that  he  appears  fixed  in  air,  flapping  his  wings.     The  object  however 
he  abandons,  or  rather  the  fish  he  had  in  his  eye  lias  disappeared,  and 
he  is  again  seen  sailing  around  aa  before.     Now  his  attention  is  again 
arrested,  and  lie  descends  with  great  rapidity ;  but  ere  he  reaches  the 
surface,  shoots  off  on  another  course,  as  if  ashamed  that  a  second  victim 
had  escaped  him.     lie  now  sails  at  a  short  height  above  the  surface, 
and  by  a  zig-zag  descent  and  without  seeming  to  dip  his  feet  in  the 
water,  seizes  a  fish,  w^hich  after  carrying  a  sliort  distance,  he  probably 
drops,  or  yields  up  to  the  Bald  Eagle,  and  again  ascends  by  easy  sj)iral 
circles,  to  the  higher  regions  of  the  air,  wliere  he  glides  about  in  all  tiio 
easo  and  majesty  of  his  species.     At   once  from   this  sublime  aerial 
height  ne  descends  like  a  perpendicular  torrent,  plunging  into  the  sea 
with  a  loud  rushing  sound,  and  with  the  certainty  of  a  rifle.     In  a  few 
moments  he  emerges,  bearing  in  his  claws  his  struggling  prey,  which  he 
alwjys  carries  head  foremost;  and  having  risen  a  few  feet  above  the 
surface,  shakes  himself  as  a  water  spaniel  would  do,  and   directs  hia 
heavy  and  laborious  course  directly  for  the  land.     If  the  wind  blow 
hard,  and    his  nest  lie  in  the    quarter    from  whence   it    comes,    it   is 
amusing  to  observe  with  wliat  judgment  and  exertion  he  beats  to  wind- 
ward, not  in  a  direct  line,  that  is,  in  the  wind's  eye,  but  making  several 
successive  tacks  to  gain  his  purpose.     This  will  appear  the  more  strik- 
ing, when  we  consider  the  size  of  the    fisli   which   he  sometimes  bears 
along.      A  shad  vins  taken  from  n  Fish- Hawk,  near  Great  Egg  Ilaibor, 
on  which  he  had  begun  to  regale  himself,  and  had   already  ate  a  con- 
siderable portion  of  it,   the  remainder  weighed  six   pounds.     Another 
Fish-Hawk  wjis  passing  Mr.  ll-asley's,  at  the  same  place,  with  a  large 
flounder  in  his  grasp,  which  struggled  and  siiook  liim  so,  that  he  droped 
it  on  the  shore.     The  flounder  was  picked  up,  and  served  the  whole 
family  for  dinner.      It  is  singular  that  the  Hawk  never  descends  to  pick 
up  a  fish  which  he  happens  to  droj),  either  on  the  land  or  on  the  water, 
Tliere  is  a  kind  of  abstemious  dignity  in   this  habit  of  tiie  Hawk,  supe- 
rior t-)  the  gluttonous  voracity  displayed  by  most  othei  birds  of  prey, 
particularly  by  the  Bahi  Eagle,  whose  piratical  robberies  committed  on 
the  present  species  have  been  already  fully  <letailed   in    treating  of  his 
history,    'i'he  Hawk,  however,  in  his  fishing  pursuits,  sometimes  mistakes 
his  mark,  or  overrates  his  strength,  by  striking  fish  too  large  and  powerful 
for  him  to  manage,  by  whom  he  is  suddeidy  dr-^gged  under ;  and  though 
he  sometimes  succeeds  in  extricating  himself,  after  being  taken  three  or 
four  times  <lown,  yet  oftener  itotli   parties  perish.     The  bodies  of  stur- 
geon,  and  several  other  large   fish,  with   that  of  the  Fish-Hawk   fast 
grapfiled  in  them,  have  at  difi"erent  times  been  found  dead  on  the  shore, 
cast  up  by  the  waves. 

The  Fish-Hawk  is  douljtiess  the  most  numerous  of  all  its  genus  within 
the  United  States.     It  penetrates  far  into  the  interior  of  tho  country 


1 

t 

;  '      '    .  ■   * 

1 

f^ 

11 

n-'  ...i 

FISH-HAWK,    OR   OSPREY. 


fiA 


up  our  large  rivers,  and  their  head  waters.  It  may  be  said  to  line  the 
eeacoast  from  Georgia  to  Canada.  In  some  parts  I  have  counted,  at  one 
view,  more  than  twenty  of  their  nests  within  half  a  mile.  Mr.  Gardi- 
ner informs  me,  that  on  the  small  island  on  which  he  resides,  there  are 
at  least  "  three  hundred  nests  of  Fish-IIawks  that  have  young,  which, 
on  an  average,  consume  probably  not  less  than  six  hundred  fish  daily." 
Before  they  depart  in  the  autunm  they  regularly  repair  their  nests,  carry- 
ing up  sticks,  sods,  &c.,  fortifying  them  against  the  violence  of  the  winter 
storms,  which,  from  this  circumstance,  they  would  seem  to  foresee  and 
expect.  But,  notwithstanding  all  their  precautions,  they  frequently, 
on  their  return  in  spring,  find  them  lying  in  ruins  around  the  roots  of 
the  tree  ;  and  sometimes  the  tree  itself  has  shared  the  same  fate.  When 
a  number  of  Hawks,  to  the  amount  of  twenty  or  upwards,  collect  to- 
gether on  one  tree,  making  a  hiud  squealing  noise,  there  is  generally  a 
nctit  built  soon  after  on  the  same  tree.  Probably  this  congressional 
assembly  were  settling  the  right  of  the  new  p:.ir  to  the  premises  ;  or  it 
niigiit  be  a  kind  of  wedding,  or  joyous  festive  meeting  on  the  occasion. 
They  are  naturally  of  a  mild  and  peaceable  disposition,  living  together 
in  great  peace  and  harmony  ;  for  though  with  tliem,  as  in  the  best  regu- 
lated communities,  instances  of  attack  and  robbery  occur  among  them- 
selves, yet  these  instances  are  extremely  rare.  Mr.  Gardiner  observes 
that  they  are  sometimes  seen  higli  in  the  air,  sailing  and  cutting  strange 
gambols,  with  loud  vociferations,  darting  down  several  hundred  feet 
perpendicular,  frequently  with  part  of  a  fish  in  one  claw,  which  they 
seem  proud  of,  and  to  claim  hi<jh  hook,  as  the  fishermen  call  him  who 
takes  the  greatest  number.  On  tliese  occasions  they  serve  as  a  barom- 
eter to  foretell  the  ciianges  of  the  atmostphere ;  fior  when  the  Fish- 
Hawks  are  seen  thus,  sailing  high  in  air,  in  circles,  it  is  universally  be- 
lieved to  prognosticate  a  change  of  wrathe;-,  often  a  thunder  storm,  in  a 
few  hours.  On  the  faitli  of  the  certainty  of  these  signs,  the  experienced 
coaster  wisely  prepares  for  tlie  expecte<l  storm,  anil  is  rarely  mistaken. 

There  is  one  singular  trait  in  the  character  of  this  bird,  which  will  bo 
mentioned  in  treating  of  the  Purple  ( Jrakle,  and  which  I  hav<'  had  many 
opportunities  of  witnessing.  The  (irakles,  or  Crow  Blackbirds,  are 
()eniiitted  by  the  Fish-Hawk  to  huild  their  nests  among  tiie  interstices 
of  the  sticks  of  which  his  own  is  constructed.  iSeveral  pair  of  Graklea 
taking  \i|)  their  abode  there,  like  humble  vassals  arountl  the  castle  of 
their  chief,  laying,  hatcliing  their  young,  aii<l  living  together  in  mutual 
harmony.  I  havefoiiiid  no  less  than  four  of  these  nests  clustered  around 
the  sides  of  the  former,  and  a  fifth  fixed  on  the  nearest  branch  of  the  ad- 
joining tree ;  as  if  the  proprietor  of  this  last,  unable  to  find  an  unoccu- 
jiicd  corner  on  the  premises,  had  been  anxious  to  share  as  much  aa 
possible  the  company  and  protection  of  this  generous  bird. 

The  Fish-Hawk  is  twenty-two  inches  in  length,  and  five  feet  throe 


56 


FISH-HAWK,    OR   OSPREY. 


inches  in  extent ;  the  bill  is  deep  black,  the  upper  as  well  as  lower  cere, 
(for  the  base  of  the  lower  mandible  has  a  loose  movable  skin)  and  also 
the  sides  of  the  mouth,  from  the  nostrils  backwards,  are  light  blue; 
crown  and  hind-head  pure  white,  front  streaked  with  brown  ;   through 
the  eye  a  bar  of  dark  blackish  brown  passes  to  the  neck  behind,  which, 
as  well  as  the  whole  upper  parts,  is  deep  brown,  the  edges  of  the  fea- 
thers lighter ;  shafts  of  the  wing  quills  brownish  white ;  tail  slightly 
rounded,  of  rather  a  paler  brown  than  the  body,  crossed  with  eight  bars 
of  very  dark  brown ;  the  wings  when  shut  extend  about  an  inch  beyond 
the  tail,  and  arc  nearly  black  towards  the  tips ;  the  inner  vanes  of  both 
quill  and  tail  feathers   are  whitish,  barred  with  brown  ;  whole  lower 
parts  pure  white,   except   the  tiiighs,   which    are   covered   with   short 
plumage,  and  streaked  down  the  fore  part  with  pale  brown  ;  the  legs 
and  feet  are  a  very  pale  light  blue,  prodigiously  strong  and  dispropor- 
tionably  large,  they  are  covered  with  flat  scales  of  remarkable  strength 
and  thickness,  resembling  when  dry  the  teetli  of  a  large  rasp,  particu- 
larly on   the  soles,  intended  no  doubt  to  enable  the  bird  to  seize  with 
more  security  his  slippery  prey;  the  thighs  are  long,  the  legs  short, 
feathered  a  little  below  the  knee,  and  as  well  as  the  feet  and  claws  large; 
the  latter  hooked  into  semicircles,  black,  and  very  sharp  pointed ;  the 
iris  of  the  eve  a  fiery  vellow  orange. 

Tlie  female  is  full  two  inches  longer ;  the  upper  part  of  the  head  of  a 
less  pure  white,  and  tlie  brown  streaks  on  the  front  spreading  more  over 
the  crown  ;  the  tiiroat  and  upper  part  of  the  breast  are  also  dashed 
with  large  blotches  of  a  pale  brown,  and  the  bar  passing  through  the  eye, 
not  of  so  dark  a  brown.  The  toes  of  both  are  exceedingly  strong  and 
warty,  and  the  Jiind  claw  a  full  inch  and  a  qimrter  in  diameter.  The 
feathers  on  the  neck  and  hind-head  are  long  and  narrow,  and  generally 
erected  when  the  bird  is  irritated,  resembling  those  of  the  J^agle.  The 
eye  is  destitute  of  the  projecting  bone  common  to  most  of  the  Falcon 
tribe,  the  nostril  large,  and  of  a  curving  triangular  shape.  On  dissec- 
tion, the  two  gl.ind.son  therum|>,  which  supi)ly  the  bird  with  oil  for  lubri- 
cating its  feathers,  to  protect  them  from  the  wet,  were  found  to  be  remark- 
ably large,  capable,  when  opened,  of  admitting  the  end  of  the  finger, 
and  contained  a  large  (piantity  of  white  greasy  matter,  and  ^r.nw  pure 
yellow  oil ;  the  gall  was  in  small  (piantity  ;  the  numerous  convolutions 
and  length  of  the  intestines  surprised  ine ;  when  carefully  extended  they 
measured  within  an  inch  or  two  of  nine  feet,  and  were  no  thicker  than 
those  of  a  Hobin  I  The  crop,  or  craw,  was  middle-sized,  and  contained 
a  nearly  ilissolved  fish  ;  the  stomach  was  a  large  oblong  pouch,  capable 
of  consiilerable  distension,  and  was  also  filleil  with  half-digested  fish ;  no 
appearance  of  a  muscular  gizzard. 

By  the  descriptions  of  Europtan  naturalists,  it  would  appear  that  thia 
bird,  or  one  near  akin  to  it,  is  a  native  of  the  Eastern  continent  in  sutn- 


PISH-HAWK,    OR   OSPREY. 


67 


mer,  as  far  north  as  Siberia ;  the  Bald  Buzzard  of  Turton  almost  exactly 
agreeing  with  the  present  species  in  size,  color,  and  manners,  with  the 
exception  of  its  breeding  or  making  its  nest  among  the  reeds,  instead  of 
on  trees.  Mr.  Bewick,  who  has  figured  and  described  the  female  of  this 
bird,  under  the  appellation  of  the  "  Osprey,"  says,  "  that  it  builds  on 
the  ground,  among  reeds,  and  lays  three  or  four  eggs  of  an  elliptical 
form,  rather  less  than  those  of  a  hen."  This  difference  of  habit  may  be 
owing  to  particular  local  circumstances,  such  deviations  being  usual 
among  many  of  our  native  birds.  The  Italians  arc  said  to  compare  its 
descent  upon  the  water  to  a  piece  of  lead  falling  upon  that  element ; 
and  distinguish  it  by  the  name  of  Aquila  piumbina,  or  the  Leaden 
Eagle.  In  the  United  States  it  is  everywhere  denominated  the  Fish- 
Ilawk,  or  Fishing-Hawk,  a  name  truly  expressive  of  its  habits. 

The  regular  arrival  of  this  noted  bird  at  the  vernal  equinox,  when  the 
busy  season  of  fishing  commences,  adds  peculiar  interest  to  its  first  ap- 
pearance, and  procures  it  many  a  benediction  from  the  fishermen.  With 
the  following  lines,  illustrative  of  these  circumstances,  I  shall  conclude 
its  history : 

Soon  as  the  Sun,  f!;rcat  ruler  of  tlie  year  ! 
Bends  to  our  northern  climes  his  lirij^ht  career; 
And  from  the  eaves  of  ocean  calls  fiom  sleep 
Tho  finny  shoals  and  myriads  of  the  deep; 
When  freezinj^  tempests  back  to  Greenland  ride; 
And  day  and  night  the  equal  hours  divide  ; 
True  to  tho  season,  o'er  our  sea-beat  shore, 
T!io  sailiiij^  ()s|)rey  high  is  seen  to  soar, 
AVith  broad  uinnovintj  win)? ;  and,  circlinj*  slow, 
Marks  each  li>oso  strnfTftler  in  the  deep  below  : 
Sweepi)  down  like  li^^htnin^!  plunges  with  a  roar! 
And  bears  his  struggling  victim  to  the  shore. 

'  The  long-housed  fisherman  beholds  with  joy 

Tlie  well-known  signals  of  his  rough  employ  ; 
And,  as  he  bears  his  nets  and  oar.M  along, 
He  hails  tho  welcome  season  with  a  song. 

Note. — The  Fish-Hawk  passes  the  winter  in  the  southern  parts  of  tho 
United  States.  In  a  winter  voyage  among  the  sea-isla:ids  of  Georgia, 
mid  thence  iiiti>  East  Florida,  I  did  not  obs(>rve  these  birds  until  I 
reached  the  river  St.  John,  on  tho  seventh  of  February.  At  the  mouth 
of  this  river,  which  is  noted  for  the  abundance  of  its  fish,  the  Ospreys 
are  very  nunienius;  and  the  frecjuent  attacks  wliich  are  made  upon 
tliein,  when  successful  in  fishing,  by  tlie  piratical  Hitlcl  Eagles,  afford  a 
spectacle  of  no  common  interest.  I  sometimes  took  notice,  that  when 
the  Fish-Hawk  was  likely  to  escape  from  a  single  enemy,  and  had  wea- 
ried his  pursuer  by  tlic  dexterity  of  liis  mantKuvres,  a  fresh  Eagle  joined 
in  the  chase,  and  then  all  chance  of  escape  was  hopeless. 


S 


•I    '■  ■r  ,. 
I       U  <l 


wmmmtint. 


{ 
St. 

;        1    ' 


58 


ASII-COLOHED,    OR    BLACK-CAP    HAWK. 


Wilson  Btatet,,  that  this  species,  on  the  coast  of  New  Jersey,  com- 
mencos  laying  about  the  first  of  May ;  but  I  observed  it  sitting,  in  East 
Florida,  on  the  third  of  March.  The  weather  was  then  warm  :  Fahren- 
belt  being  at  80°  in  the  shade. — Cj'.  Ord. 


Si'EciKs  VII.     FALCO  ATItlCAPILLUS* 

ASH-COLORED,  or  BLACK-CAP  HAWK. 

[Plate  LII.    Fig.  3.] 

Of  this  beautiful  species  I  can  find  no  precise  description.  The  Ash- 
colored  lluzziird  of  Edwards  differs  .'>o  much  from  this,  particularly  in 
wanting  the  fine  zig-zag  lines  below,  and  the  black  caj),  that  I  cannot 
for  a  moment  suppose  them  to  be  the  same.  The  individual  from  which 
the  drawing  was  made  i.s  faithfully  roprosented  in  tiic  plate,  reduced  to 
one-half  its  natural  dimensions.  This  bird  was  shot  within  a  few  miles 
of  Philadebhia. 

Its  general  make  and  aspect  denote  great  strength  and  spirit ;  its  legs 
arc  strong,  and  its  claws  of  more  than  proportionate  size.  Should  any 
other  specimen  or  variety  of  this  H"'vk,  differing  from  the  present,  occur 
during  the  publication  of  this  work,  it  will  enable  me  more  accurately  to 
designate  the  species. 

The  Black-cap  Hawk  is  twenty-one  inches  in  length;  the  bill  and 
cere  are  blue;  eye  reddish  amber ;  crown  black,  bordered  on  each  side 
by  a  line  of  white,  finely  specked  with  black  ;  these  lines  of  white  meet 
on  the  hind-head ;  whole  upper  parts  .slate,  tinged  with  brown,  slightest 
on  the  i|uills ;  legs  feathered  half  way  down,  and,  with  the  feet,  of  a 
yellow  color ;  whole  lower  parts  and  femorals  white,  most  elegantly 
speckled  with  fine  transverse  pencilled  zig-zag  lines  of  dusky,  all  the 
shafts  being  a  long  black  line ;  vent  pure  white. 

If  this  be  not  the  celebrated  Gonhawk,  formerly  so  nmcb  esteemed  in 
falconry,  it  is  very  closely  allied  to  it.  I  have  never  myself  seen  a 
specimen  of  that  bird  in  Europe,  and  the  descriptions  of  their  best 
naturalists  vary  considerably  ;  but  from  a  careful  examination  of  the 


•  Valcii-I'alnmharixtit,  Linn.  As  was  wiRppctcd  by  Wilson,  tliin  is  not  a  now 
ippcii'H,  Itiit  tlio  (•"•It'liriitril  (iimhuwk.  'I'lie  foMoviin^  nynoiiviiieH  iiro  ^ivcii  liy 
I'rince  .Musi^imno :  thlru  C'oliiinlniriini.  (tuy.t..  ,Si/,sl.  i.,  p.  I'Sl.  Lath. — TeMM. — 
V.yrittiliii,  Linn.  (Jmici,.  SijhI  i.,  p. '270.  Lath,  (younf?)  F.  ijalliiKiriiin.  Linn.  Lath. 
(very  young  fciiiiilo.)  L'Aulnur,  Berr.  IM.  Kiil.  418.  (adult)  L' Aiitnur  sum,  Brrr. 
PI.  Kill.  -I')!  (yoiinf.').  I.f  Huzard,  Bukf.  /'/.  Eul.  423.  (very  young  fi-iiialo.)  See 
Journal  Acud,  Nat.  8o,  iii.,  p.  346. 


RED-TAILED    HAWK. 


69 


figure  and  account  of  the  Goshawk,  given  hy  the  ingenious  Mr.  Bewick 
(Brit.  Birds,  v.  i.,  p.  65),  I  have  very  little  doubt  that  the  present  will 
be  found  to  be  the  same. 

The  Goshawk  inhabits  France  and  Germany;  is  not  very  common  in 
South  Britain,  but  more  frequent  in  the  northern  parts  of  the  island, 
and  is  found  in  Russia  and  Siberia.  Buffon,  who  reared  two  young 
birds  of  this  kind,  a  male  and  female,  observes,  that  "  the  Goshawk 
before  it  has  shed  its  feathers,  that  is,  in  its  first  year,  is  marked  on  the 
breast  and  belly  "with  longitudinal  brown  spots ;  but  after  it  has  had 
two  moultings  they  disappear,  and  their  place  is  occupied  by  transverse 
waving  bars,  which  continue  during  the  rest  of  its  life;"  he  also  takes 
notice,  that  though  the  male  was  much  smaller  than  the  female,  it  was 
fiercer  and  more  vicious. 

Pennant  informs  us  that  the  Goshawk  is  used  by  the  emperor  of  China 
in  his  sporting  excursions,  when  he  is  usually  attended  by  his  grand 
falconer,  and  a  thousand  of  inferior  rank.  Every  bird  has  a  silver 
plate  fastened  to  its  foot,  with  the  name  of  the  falconer  who  has  the 
charge  of  it,  that  in  case  it  should  be  lost,  it  may  be  restored  to  the 
proper  person ;  but  if  he  should  not  be  found,  tlio  bird  is  delivered  to 
another  officer,  called  the  guardian  of  lost  birJa,  who,  to  make  his 
situation  known,  erects  his  standard  in  a  conspicuous  place  among  the 
army  of  hunters.  The  same  writer  informs  us,  that  he  examined  in 
the  Leverian  museum,  a  specimen  of  tlie  Gosliawk  which  came  from 
America,  and  which  was  superior  in  size  to  the  European. 


Sp«cim  Vlir.     FALCO  liOREALIS. 

RED-TAILED    HAWK. 

[Plate  HI.    Fig.  1.] 

Arct.  Zool.  p.  205,  No.  100. — Ameiican  liuzzaul,  L.kju.  i.,  50. — Tuht.  Si/st.  p.  151. 
— F.AqtiiUnua,  cauila Jerrwjinea,  Great  Eaijle  Hawk,  H.tRTR.\ii,  p.  2'.t0. 

Thk  figure  of  this  bin!,  and  those  of  the  otlior  two  Hawks  in  the 
same  plate,  are  reduced  to  exactly  half  the  dimensions  of  the  living 
subjects.  These  rt'pros(<ntations  are  offered  to  the  public  with  a  con- 
fidence in  their  fidelity  ;  but  thi'sc,  1  am  sorry  to  say,  are  almost  all  I 
have  to  give  towards  elucidating  their  history.  Birds  naturally  thinly 
dispersed  over  a  vast  extent  of  country,  retiring  during  summer  to  the 
dcpfii  of  the  forests  to  l)reed,  approaching  the  h;il)itati<)iis  of  man,  like 
otliiT  thieves  and  plunderers,  with  shy  and  cautious  jealousy,  seldom 
permitting  a  near  advance,  subject  to  great  changes  of  plumage,  and, 


60 


RED-TAILED    HAWK, 


1 

> 


since  the  decline  of  falconry,  seldom  or  never  domesticated,  offer  to 
those  who  wish  eagerly  to  investigate  their  history,  and  to  delineate 
their  particular  character  and  manners,  great  and  insurmountable  diffi- 
culties. Little  more  can  bo  done  in  such  cases  than  to  identify  the 
species,  and  trace  it  through  the  various  quarters  of  the  world,  where 
it  has  been  certainly  met  with. 

The  Red-tailed  Hawk  is  most  frequently  seen  in  the  lower  parts  of 

Pennsylvania,  during    the  severity  of  winter.     Among   the   extensive 

meadows  that  border  the  Schuylkill  and  Delaware,  below  Philadelphia, 

where  flocks  of  Larks  (Alauiia  magna),  and  whore  mice  and  moles  are 

in  great  abundance,  many  individuals  of  this  Hawk  spend  the  greater 

part  of  the  winter.     Others  prowl  around  the  plantations,  looking  out 

for  vagrant  cliickens ;  their  method  of  seizing  whicii,  is  by  sweeping 

swiftly  over  the  spot,  and  grappling  them  with  their  talons,  bearing 

them  away  to  the  woods.     The  bird  from  wliieh  the  figure  in  the  plate 

was  drawn,  was  surprised  in  the  act  of  feeding  on  a  hen  he  had  just 

killed,  and  whicli  he  was  compelled  to  abandon.     The  remains  of  the 

chicken  were  immediately    baited  to  a  steel-trap,   and  early  the  next 

morning  the  unfortunate  Red-tail  was  found  a  prisoner,  securely  fastened 

by  the  leg.     The  same  lien  which  the  day  before  lie  had  massacred,  was, 

the  very  next,  made  the  means  of  decoying  him  to  his  destruction  ;  in 

the  eye  of  the  farmer  a  system  of  fair  and  just  retribution. 

•    This  species  inhabits  the  whole  United  States  ;  and,  I  believe,  is  not 

migratory,   as   I  found  it  in  the  month  of  May,   as  far  south  as  Fort 

Adams,   in   the   Mississippi   territory.     The  young  were   at  that   time 

nearly  as  large  as  their  parents,  and  were  very  clamorous,  making  an 

incessant  squealing  noise.     One,  which  I  shot,  contained  in  its  stomach 

mingled  fragments  of  frogs  and  lizards. 

The  Red-tailed  Hawk  is  twenty  inches  long,  and  three  fwt  nine 
inches  in  extent ;  bill  blue  black  ;  cere  and  si<les  of  the  mouth  yellow, 
tinged  with  green  ;  lores  and  spot  on  the  under,  eyelid  white,  the  former 
marked  with  fine  radiating  hairs;  eyebrow,  or  cartilage,  a  dull  evl  skin 
color,  prominent,  projecting  over  the  eye ;  a  l)road  streak  of  dark 
brown  extends  from  the  sides  of  the  mouth  backwards ;  crown  and 
hind-head  dark  brown,  seamcil  with  white  and  ferruginous;  side^  of  the 
neck  dull  ferruginous,  streaked  with  brown  ;  eye  large  ;  iris  pale  amber; 
back  and  shoulders  deep,  brown;  wings  dusky,  barred  with  blackish; 
ends  of  the  five  first  primaries  nearly  black  ;  sca])ulars  barred  broadly 
with  white  ami  brown  ;  sides  of  the  tail-coverts  white,  barred  with 
ferruginous,  mitldle  ones  dark,  edged  with  rust ;  tail  rounded,  extending 
two  inches  beyoml  the  wings,  and  of  a  bright  red  brown,  with  a  single 
band  of  black  near  the  end,  and  tipped  with  brownish  white ;  on  some  of 
the  lateral  feathers  are  slight  indicaticms  of  the  remains  of  other  narrow 
bars;  lower   parts   brownish    winte;    the  breast   ferruginous,  streaked 


iftirMJ 


AMERICAN    BUZZARD. 


61 


with  dark  brown ;  across  tho  belly  a  band  of  interrupted  spots  of  brown ; 
chin  white ;  femorals  and  vent  pale  brownish  white,  the  former  marked 
with  a  few  minute  heart-shaped  spots  of  brown  ;  legs  yellow,  feathered 
half  way  below  the  knees. 

This  was  a  male.  Another  specimen  shot  within  a  few  days  after, 
agreed  in  almost  every  particular  of  its  color  and  markings  with  the 
present ;  and  on  dissection  was  found  to  be  a  female. 


) 


FALCO  LEVERIANUSr* 

AMERICAN  BUZZARD. 

[Plate  III,    Fig.  2,]  ,  / 

It  is  with  some  doubt  and  hesitation  that  I  introduce  the  present  as 
a  distinct  species  from  tho  prccedinf^.  In  their  size  and  general  aspect 
thoy  rcscMublo  each  other  considerably ;  yet  I  have  found  both  males 
and  females  among  each ;  and  in  the  present  species  I  have  sometimes 
found  the  ground  color  of  the  tail  strongly  tinged  with  ferruginous,  and 
tho  bars  of  dusky  but  slight ;  while  in  the  preceding,  the  tail  is  some- 
times wholly  reil  brown,  the  single  bar  of  black  near  the  tip  excepted; 
in  other  specimens  evident  remains  of  numerous  other  bars  are  visible. 
In  the  meantime  both  are  figured,  and  future  observations  may  throw 
more  light  on  the  matter. 

This  bird  is  more  numerous  than  the  last ;  but  frequents  tlie  same 
situations  in  winter.  One,  which  was  shot  in  the  wing,  lived  with  mo 
several  weeks ;  hut  refused  to  cat.  It  amused  itself  by  frequently  hop- 
ping from  one  end  of  the  room  to  the  other  ;  and  sitting  for  hours  at  the 
window,  looking  down  on  the  ])assei)gerR  below.  At  first,  when  ap- 
proached by  any  person,  he  generally  put  himself  in  the  position  in 
which  he  is  represented  ;  but  after  some  time  he  became  quite  familiar, 
permitting  himself  to  be  hamlled,  and  shutting  his  eyes  as  if  quite  pas- 
sive. Thoujzh  he  lived  so  lotij'  without  food,  he  was  found  on  dissection 
to  bo  exceedingly  fat,  iiis  stomach  being  enveloped  in  amass  of  .solid  fat 
o(  nearly  an  inch  in  thi..'knes.s. 

The  American  Tiuzzard,  or  Whitj'-brcasted  Ilawk,  is  twenty-two 
inches  long,  and  four  feet  in  extent ;  cere  pale  green  ;  bill  pale  blue, 
black  at  the  point;  eye  bright  straw  color;  eyebrow  projecting  greatly  ; 
head  broad,  flat  and  large ;  upper  part  of  the  head,  sides  of  the  neck 

•  Falco  borealit.  Wilson's  suHpicions  of  this  and  tho  preceding  being  the  same 
bird,  have  been  confinnL'd  by  Prini;e  Miirtignano.  Tliis  is  tho  young,  t,ho  preceding 
the  adult  bird. 


W'  li 


J I  .'1  ^ 


62 


SLATE-COLORED    HAWK. 


and  back,  brown,  streaked  and  seamed  with  white,  and  some  palo  rust; 
scapulars  and  wing-coverta  spotted  with  white  ;  wing  quille  much  resom- 
blirig  the  preceding  species;  tail-covcrts  white,  handsomely  barred  with 
brown  ;  tail  slightly'  rounded,  of  a  pale  brown  color,  varying  in  some  to 
a  sorrel,  crossed  by  nine  or  ten  bars  of  black,  and  tipped  for  half  an  inch 
with  white ;  wings  brown,  barred  with  dusky ;  inner  vanes  nearly  all 
white ;  chin,  throat  and  breast,  pure  white,  with  the  exception  of  some 
slji'ht  touches  of  brown  that  enclose  the  chin;  feniorals  yellowish  white, 
thinly  marked  with  minute  touches  of  rust ;  legs  bright  yellow,  feathered 
half  way  down  ;  belly  broadly  spotted  with  black  or  very  deep  brown ; 
the  tips  of  the  wings  reach  to  the  midtlle  of  the  tail. 

My  reason  for  inclining  to  consider  tliis  a  distinct  species  from  the 
last,  is  that  of  having  uniformly  found  the  present  two  or  three  inches 
larger  than  tlie  former,  though  this  nuiy  possibly  bo  owing  to  their 
greater  age.* 


't  K 


Species  IX.      FALCO  rhjyNSVLVAMCUS. 

SLATE-rOLORED  IIAWK.f 

[Plato  XLVI.    Fig.  1  ] 

This  elegant  and  sjiirited  little  Ilawk  is  a  native  of  Pennsylvania, 
and  of  the  Atlantic  states  generally  ;  and  is  now  for  the  first  time  intro- 
duced to  the  notice  of  the  public.  It  frequents  the  more  settled  parts 
of  the  country,  chiefly  in  winter;  is  at  all  times  a  scarce  species;  flies 
wi<le,  very  irregular,  and  swiftly  ;  preys  on  lizards,  mice  and  small  biids, 
and  is  an  active  and  daring  little  hunter.  It  is  drawn  of  full  size,  from 
a  very  beautiful  specimen  shot  in  the  neighborhood  of  Philadelphia.  The 
bird  within  his  grasp  is  the  Tanatjra  rubra,  or  Black-winged  Ked-bird, 

•Prince  MuHianano  is  of  opinion  tliat  Wilson  took  his  ndmoastireincnt  of  the 
bin-Mlis  (rum  indlcB.  iiml  tlmt  of  llio  lereriann.i  from  f('iimK'.s  ;  uk  lio  liivs  iilwttvi) 
foiinii  tlie  niiilrii  in  l/oth  Ftiitcs  of  piniiiafro  Iwciilv  iiu'lioH  (u  t-'izc  wiiii:li  WiNon 
pvcK  iiH  that  of  the  iionali.i),  iukI  iho  foniali'd  of  hotli,  t\vi>iity-two  iin  lu-s  (tiip  h'mo 
of  flip  lerrrinniin  i\n  fi'ivfu  ]i\  Wilson). 

t  I5y  I'onijiiiriii}.'  this  liinl  with  the  Shnr|>-(<liinnp(l  Ilnwk,  it  will  lie  ohxioun  tliiil 
Wilhon  limi  ;:i>i)ii  rra«on  for  his  firi-t  opinion,  that  they  iiro  iilcntical  ;  alliioii;.;li  he 
giilmequcntiy  ciinio  to  u  cotilrnry  concliiwion.  It  in  [iroliahli'  that  tin'y  will  he  found 
to  ho  the  Kunio,  and  that  thJH  Ih  the  iidult,  nnd  the  ShnrpKhinnrd  Ilawk  llie  young 
liird.  If  tlii«  l»e  the  rase,  fho  name  vrlox.  which  wuh  first  p\fn  to  fhis  Hjiecii'N  li» 
Wilbon,  miiiit  he  retained  :  unlesM  indeed  it  hhunid  prove;  to  he  identieal  with  the  F. 
ftitrtis  of  ButlifirH.  HH  oHHprted  hy  Prince  Mu.sij;nnno ;  in  whioh  evei,t  tliix  latter 
name  must  of  oourKC,  having  the  priority,  he  miopted. 


Mf- 


SLATE-COLORED    HAWK. 


68 


in  its  green  or  first  year's  dress.  In  the  spring  of  the  succeeding  year 
the  green  and  yellow  plumage  of  tliis  bird  becomes  of  a  most  splendid 
Bcarlot,  anil  il  .-  wings  and  tail  deepen  into  a  glossy  black.  / 

The  great  difTiculty  of  accurately  diHcriminatii:g  between  different 
species  of  the  I  lawk  tribe,  on  account  of  the  various  appearances  they 
assume  at  diflerent  periods  of  their  long  lives,  at  first  excited  a  suspi- 
cion that  this  might  be  one  of  those  with  which  I  was  already  acquainted, 
in  a  different  dress,  namely,  the  Sharp-shinned  Hawk,  figured  in  Plate 
XLV.  of  this  work  ;  for  such  arc  the  changes  of  color  to  which  many 
individuals  of  this  genus  arc  subject,  that  unless  the  naturalist  has  re- 
course to  those  parts  that  are  subject  to  little  or  no  alteration  in  the 
full-grown  bird,  viz.  the  particular  conformation  of  the  legs,  nostrils, 
tail,  and  the  relative  length  of  the  latter  to  that  of  the  wings,  also  the 
peculiar  character  of  the  countenance,  he  will  frequently  be  deceived. 
By  comparing  these,  the  same  species  may  often  be  detected  under  a 
very  diflerent  garb.  Were  a''  Lhese  changes  accurately  known,  there  is 
no  doubt  but  the  number  of  species  of  this  tribe,  at  present  enumerated, 
would  be  greatly  diminished ;  the  same  bird  having  been  described,  by 
certain  writers,  three,  four,  and  even  five  different  times,  as  so  many 
distinct  species.  Testing,  however,  the  presetit  Hawk  by  the  rules 
,above-mentio]ied,  I  have  no  hesitation  in  considering  it  as  a  species  dif- 
ferent from  any  hitherto  described ;  and  I  have  classed  it  accordingly. 

The  Slate-colored  llawk  is  eleven  inches  long ;  and  twenty-one  inches 
in  extent ;  bill  blue  l)hick  ;  cere  and  siiles  of  the  mouth  dull  green  ;  eye- 
lid yellow  ;  eye  deep  sunk  under  the  projecting  eyebrow,  and  of  a  fiery 
orange  color;  upper  parts  of  a  fine  slate;  primaries  brown  black,  and, 
as  well  as  the  secondaries,  barred  with  dusky ;  scapulars  spotted  with 
white  and  brown,  which  is  not  seen  unless  the  plumage  be  separated  by 
the  Inunl ;  all  the  feathers  above  are  shat'teil  with  black  ;  tail  very 
slightly  forked,  of  an  ash  color,  faintly  tinged  with  brown,  crossed  with 
four  broad  bands  of  black,  and  tipped  with  white ;  tail  three  inches 
longer  than  the  wings ;  over  the  eye  extends  a  streak  of  dull  white; 
chin  white  mixed  with  fine  black  hairs;  breast  and  belly  beautifully 
variegated  with  ferruginous  and  transverse  spots  of  white  ;  femorals  the 
same;  vent  pure  white,  legs  long,  very  slender,  and  of  a  rich  orange 
yellow;  claws  black,  large,  and  remarkably  sharp;  lining  of  the  wing 
thicklv  marked  with  heart-shaped  spots  of  black.  This  birtl  on  dissec- 
tion was  found  to  be  a  male.  In  the  month  of  February,  I  shot  another 
individual  of  this  species,  near  Hampton  in  Virginia,  which  agreed 
almost  exactly  with  the  present. 


if 


"Jim  »f 
1^1 


•MWill 


'm 


!■  i      I  'M-'  S 


I 'ft; 


u  \^n 


-4  ■  - 


I*.  :  • 


.  FALCO  VELOX. 

'  '  SHARP-SniNNED  IIAWR. 

[Plate  XLV.    Fig.  1,  Female.] 

Till.''  i.>»  a  bold  and  darinj^  species,  hithorto  unknown  to  naturalists. 
The  only  Hawk  wp  have  wliidi  appmaclios  near  it  in  color  is  the  Pigeon 
Hawk,  figured  in  Plate  XV.  But  there  are  .such  striking  differences 
in  the  present,  not  only  in  color,  but  in  other  respects,  as  to  point  out 
decisively  its  claims  to  rank  as  a  distinct  species.  Is  long  and  slender 
legs  and  toes ;  its  red  fiery  eye,  feathered  to  the  eyelids ;  its  triangular 
grooved  nostril,  and  length  of  tail,  are  all  different  from  the  Pigeon 
Hawk,  whose  legs  are  short,  its  eyes  dark  hazel,  surrounded  with  a 
broad  bare  yellow  skin,  and  its  nostrils  small  and  circular,  centred  witli 
a  slender  point,  that  ri.ses  in  it  like  the  pi.stil  of  a  tlower.  There  is  no 
Hawk  nicntioncfl  by  Pennant,  either  as  inhabiting  Europe  it  America, 
agreeing  with  this.  I  may  therefore,  with  confidence,  |  'unce  it  a 
nondescript;  and  have  chosen  a  very  singular  peculiarity  wuich  it  pos- 
sesses, for  its  specific  appellation. 

This  Hawk  was  shot  on  the  banks  of  the  Schuylkill,  near  Mr.  IJar- 
tram's.  Its  singularity  of  flight  surprised  nic  long  before  I  succeeded  in 
procuring  it.  It  seemed  to  throw  itself  from  one  (juarter  of  the  heavens 
to  the  other,  with  prodigious  velocity,  indinin/T  to  the  earth  ;  swept 
sudilenly  down  into  a  thicket,  and  instantly  re-appeared  with  a  small 
bird  in  it'»  talons.  This  feat  I  saw  it  twice  perform,  ,so  that  it  was  not 
merely  un  accidental  manrruvre.  The  rapidity  and  seeming  violence 
of  these  zig-zag  excursions  were  really  remarkable,  and  appeared  to  mo 
to  be  for  the  purpose  of  seizing  his  prey  by  sudden  surprise,  and  main 
force  of  flight.  I  kept  this  Hawk  alive  for  several  days,  and  was  hopeful 
I  might  be  able  to  cure  him  ;  but  he  died  of  his  wound. 

On  the  loth  of  September,  two  young  men  whom  I  bad  despatched 
on  a  shooting  expedition,  met  with  this  species  on  one  of  the  ranges  of 
the  Alleghany.  It  wa«  driving  aroun<l  in  the  same  furious  headlong  man- 
ler,  and  had  made  a  sweep  at  a  red  squirrel,  which  eluded  its  grasp,  and 
Itself  became  the  victim.  The.sc  are  the  only  individuals  of  this  bird  I 
have  been  able  to  pnnure,  and  fortunately  they  were  male  and  female. 
The  female  of  this  species  (represented  in  the  plate)  is  thirteen  inches 
long,  and  twenty-five  inches  in  e.<ctent ;  the  bill  is  black  toward.s  the 
point  on  both  mandibles,  but  light  blue  at  its  base  ;  cere  a  fino  pea 
green;  sides  of  the  mouth  the  same;  lores  pale  whitish  blue,  beset  with 

(64) 


SHARP- SHINNED    HAWK. 


•5 


hairs ;  crown  and  whole  upper  parts  very  dark  brown,  every  feather 
narrowly  skirtod  witii  a  bright  rust  color;  over  the  eye  a  Htripo  of  yel- 
lowish while,  streaked  with  deep  brown  ;  primaries  spotted  on  their  inner 
vanes  with  black ;  secondaries  crossed  on  both  vanes  with  three 
bars  of  dusky,  below  the  coverts;  inner  veins  of  both  primaries  and 
seeondaries  brownish  white ;  all  the  scapulars  iharkcd  with  large  round 
spots  of  white,  not  seen  unless  the  p1umaj;e  be  parted  with  the  hand; 
tail  long,  nearly  even,  crossed  with  four  bars  of  black,  and  as  many 
of  brown  ash,  an<l  tipped  with  white;  tiiroat  and  whole  lower  parts 
pale  yellowish  white  ;  the  former  marked  with  fine  long  pointed  spots 
of  dark  brown,  the  latter  with  large  oblong  spots  of  reddish  brown  ; 
feraorals  thickly  marked  with  spa<le-formed  spots,  on  the  pale  rufous 
ground ;  legs  long  and  feathered  a  little  below  the  knee,  of  a  greenish 
yellow  color,  most  yellow  at  the  joints ;  edges  of  the  inside  of  the 
shins  below  the  knee,  projecting  like  the  edge  of  a  knife,  hard  and 
sharp,  as  if  intended  to  enable  the  binl  to  hold  its  prey  with  more 
security  between  them  ;  eye,  sunk  below  a  projecting  cartilage,  iris 
bright  yellow. 

The  male  was  nearly  two  inches  shorter  ;  the  upper  parts  dark  brown  ; 
the  feathers  skirted  with  pale  reddish,  the  front  also  streaked  with  the 
same;  cere  greenish  yellow  ;  lores  l)luish  ;  bill  black,  as  in  the  female  ; 
streak  over  the  eye  lighter  than  in  the  former ;  chin  white ;  breast  the 
same,  streaked  with  brown ;  bars  on  the  tail  rather  narrower,  but  in 
tint  and  number  the  same ;  belly  and  vent  whitr  ;  feet  and  shins  exatitly 
as  in  till'  f(!male ;  the  toes  have  the  same  pendulous  lobes,  wliich  mark 
those  of  the  female,  and  of  which  the  representation  in  the  plate  will 
give  a  correct  idoa ;  the  wings  barred  with  black,  very  noticeable  on  tho 
lower  side. 

Since  writing  the  above,  I  have  shot  another  specimen  of  this  Hawk, 
corresponding  in  almost  every  particular  with  the  male  last  mentioned ; 
anil  which,  on  dissection,  also  proves  to  be  a  nuilc.  This  last  had 
within  the  grasp  of  his  sharp  talons  a  sniull  lizard,  just  killed,  on  which 
he  was  about  to  feed.  How  he  contrived  to  get  possession  of  it  appeared 
to  me  matter  of  surprise,  as  lightning  itself  seems  scarcely  more  fleet 
than  this  little  reptile.  So  rapid  are  its  motions,  that,  in  passing  from 
one  place  to  another,  it  vanishes,  ami  actinilly  eludes  the  eye  in  running 
a  distance  of  twelve  or  fifteen  feet.  It  is  frequently  seen  on  fences  that 
nre  covered  witli  gray  moss  and  lichen,  which  in  color  it  very  much 
resembles  ;  it  seeks  shelter  in  hollow  trees,  and  also  in  tin-  ground  about 
tht'ir  decayed  roots.  They  are  most  numerous  in  hilly  parts  of  the 
country,  particularly  on  the  declivities  of  the  IMue  Mountain,  among 
the  crevices  of  rocks  and  stones.  When  they  are  disposed  to  run, 
it  is  almost  impossible  to  shoot  them,  a.s  they  disappear  at  the  first 
touch  of  the  trigger.     For  the  satisfaction  of  the  curious,  I  have  intro- 

VoL.  I.— 5 


f: 


^  BROAD-WINGED   HAWK. 

duoed  a  full-Hized  figure  of  this  liaard,  which  is  known  in  many  parte 
of  the  country  by  luo  name  of  the  Swift. 


Spiciib  X.    FALCO  PEyNSyLVANICUS.'* 

BROAD-WINCED  HAWK. 

[puu  Liv.  rif.  1.] 

This  new  species,  as  well  as  the  rest  of  the  figures  in  the  same  plate, 
is  represented  of  the  exaet  size  of  life.  The  Hawk  was  shot  on  the 
sixth  of  May,  in  Hartram's  woods,  near  the  Sehuylkill,  and  was  after- 
wards presented  to  Mr.  Peale.  It  was  perched  upon  the  dead  liinh  of 
a  hij;h  tree,  feeding  on  something,  which  was  afterwards  found  to  be 
the  meadow  mouse,  figured  in  riiite  L.  On  my  approach,  it  uttered 
a  whining  kind  of  whistle,  and  Hew  off  to  another  tree,  where  I 
followed  and  shot  it.  Its  great  lireadth  of  wing,  or  width  of  the 
secondaries,  and  also  of  its  head  and  body,  when  compared  with  its 
length,  struck  me  as  peculiarities.  It  seemed  a  remarkably  strong- 
bnilt  bird,  handsomely  marked,  and  was  altogether  unknown  to  me. 
Mr.  IJartram,  who  examined  it  very  attentively,  declared  he  had  never 
before  seen  snch  a  Hawk.  On  the  afternoon  of  the  next  «hiy  I  observed 
another,  probably  its  mate  or  companion,  and  certainly  one  of  the  same 
species,  sailing  about  over  the  same  wootls.  Its  motions  were  in  wide 
circles,  with  unmoving  wings,  the  exterior  outline  of  which  seemed  a 
complete  semicircle.  I  was  extremely  anxious  to  procure  this  also  if 
possible ;  but  it  was  attacked  and  ilrivcn  away  by  a  King-bird  before 
I  could  effect  nn'  purpose,  and  I  have  never  since  been  fortunate  enough 
to  meet  with  another.  On  dissecting  the  one  which  I  had  shot,  it 
proved  to  be  a  male. 

In  m'ze  this  Hawk  agrees,  nearly,  with  the  Buzznrdet  [Falco  albuiui) 
of  Turton,  flescribed  also  by  Pennant ;  (Arct.  Zool.  N.  109.)  but 
either  the  descriptions  of  these  authors  are  very  inaccurate,  the  change 
of  color  wliich  that  bird  undergoes  very  great,  or  the  present  is  altoge- 
ther a  different  species.  Until,  however,  some  other  specimens  of  this 
ilawk  come  under  my  observation,  I  can  only  add  to  the  figure  here 

•  TheimniP  Pcnnnfjlrnnicux,  ysnn  jrivcn  hy  Wildon  to  fliin  liird,  throil;:!!  inadvprtonce, 
li"  having  already  kIvcii  tlint  name  to  the  Shite-oolorcd  llawk.whioh  in  n  diNtinct 
■|MTip»  from  the  present,  as  WiUon  wa«  well  avrare.  Mr.  Ord,  in  the  reprint  of 
tblH  Wink,  called  it  F.  latitimun.  But  should  the  Slate-colored  Hawk  ( F.  Pmn.ii/ha- 
nieut)  AU'i  ;lie  Sliarp-Mliinncd  Hawk  (  F.  velox),  prove  to  he  the  same  MpecieN,  then  the 
name  Penniy  inicua  must  be  retained  for  thin  opecicR,  that  of  vtlox  being  adopted 
ibr  the  former. 


!K^-  i 


BROAD-WINGED    HAWK. 


67 


given,  and  which   is  a  good  liicenoNg  of  the  original,   tho   following 
particularH  of  itn  hIzo  ami  pluina^(\ 

Length  fourteen  iiiclioH,  extent  thirty-thrco  inchcn ;  bill  black,  blue 
near  the  base,  slightly  toothed ;  cere  and  cornerH  of  the  mouth  yellow  ; 
iridofl  bright  amber ;  frontlet  and  lorcH  white ;  from  tho  mouth  back* 
wardH  ruiifl  a  Htreak  of  blaekiwh  brown  ;  upper  partH  dark  brown,  tho 
plumage  tipped,  and  the  head  Htreaked,  with  whitish  ;  aIniOHt  all  tho 
feathcrH  above  arc  spotted  or  btirreil  with  white ;  but  this  in  not  soon 
unless  they  be  sepJirateil  by  tho  hand  ;  head  largo,  broad  ami  flat ;  core 
very  broad,  tho  nostril  also  large;  tail  short,  the  exterior  and  interior 
feathers  somewhat  the  shortest,  tho  others  rather  longer,  of  a  full  black, 
and  crossed  with  two  bars  of  whit<',  tippofl  also  slightly  with  whitish  ; 
tail-coverts  spotted  with  white ;  wings  dusky  brown,  indistinctly  barred 
with  black  ;  greater  part  of  the  inner  vanes  snowy  ;  lesser  coverts,  and 
upper  part  of  the  back,  tipped  and  streaked  with  l)right  ferruginous; 
tho  bars  of  black  are  very  distinct  on  the  lower  side  of  tho  wing; 
lining  of  tho  wing  brownish  white,  beautifully  marked  with  small  arrow- 
heads of  brown  ;  chin  white,  surrounded  by  streaks  of  black  ;  breast 
and  sides  elegantly  spotted  witli  large  arrow-beads  of  brown,  centred 
with  pale  brown ;  belly  and  vent,  like  tho  breast,  white,  but  more  thinly 
marked  with  jiointed  spots  of  brown  ;  femorals  brownish  white,  thickly 
marked  with  small  touches  of  brown  and  whit" ;  vent  white ;  legs  very 
stout ;  feet  coarsely  scaled,  both  of  a  dirty  orange  yellow ;  clawa 
semicircular,  strong  and  very  sharp,  hind  one  consideraldy  the  largest. 

While  examining  tlio  plumage  of  this  binl,  a  short  time  after  it  was 
shot,  one  of  lliose  winged  ticks,  with  whidi  many  of  our  birds  are  infest- 
ed, appeared  on  the  surface  of  the  feathers,  moving  about,  as  they 
usually  do,  backwards  or  sidewiso,  like  a  crab,  among  the  plunnigo, 
with  great  facility.  The  Fish-IIawk,  in  particular,  is  greatly  pestered 
with  these  vermin,  which  occasionally  leave  him  as  suits  their  conve- 
nience. A  gentleman,  who  maile  the  experiment,  assuretl  me,  that  on 
plunging  a  live  Fish-Hawk  under  water,  several  of  these  winged  tick.9 
remaitied  hovering  over  tho  spot,  and  the  instant  the  hawk  rose  above 
the  surface,  dartt'<l  again  among  his  pb.image.  Tlie  experiment  was 
several  times  made,  with  the  like  result.  As  soon,  in)wever,  as  these 
pariusites  perceive  tho  dead  body  of  their  patron  beginning  to  become 
coM,  they  abamlon  it  ;  and  if  the  person  who  holds  it  have  his  head 
uncovered,  dive  instantly  among  his  hair,  as  I  have  myself  frequently 
experienced;  arid  though  driven  thence,  rep<'ated!y  return,  till  they  are 
caught  and  destroyed.  There  are  various  kinds  of  these  ticks :  tho 
one  found  on  the  present  Hawk  is  figured  beside  him.  The  head  and 
thorax  were  light  brown  ;  the  legs,  six  in  number,  of  a  bright  green, 
their  joints  moving  almost  horizontally,  and  thus  enabling  the  creature 
to  pass  with  the  greatest  ea.se  between  tho  lamina;  of  feathers ;  the 


.  •>,' 


...■%'. 


u  '-h    ■.■■■■ 


SiliS 


hk 


\-ni 


!  5' ;  1 


I 


^*U' 


ji  ' 


rflU':^ 


■It  j^ 


iM 


.1 


,  i.. 


08 


SWALLOW-TAILED    HAWK. 


wings  were  single,  of  a  dark  amber  color,  and  twice  as  long  as  the  body, 
whi'"h  wiatncd  towards  the  extremity,  where  it  was  slightly  indented ; 
feet  two  clawed. 

This  insect  lived  for  several  days  between  the  crystal  and  dial-plate 
of  a  watch,  carried  in  the  pocket ;  but  being  placed  for  a  few  minutes 
in  the  sun,  fell  into  convubions  and  died. 


1 


Species  XI.     FAhCO  FURCATUS* 

SWALLOW-TAILED  HAWK. 

[Plate  LI.    Fig.  8.] 


Linn.  Sytt.  129. — Lath,  i.,  60. — Hir undo  maxima  Peruviana  avis  pradatorix  calca- 
ribus  innlrncta,  Fkuim.ee,  Toy.  Peru,  torn,  ii.,  .3.3.— Catisb.  i.,  4. — /,«  Milan  de 
fa  Caroline,  Briss.  i.,  418.— Buff,  i.,  221.-TutT.  &/at.  U9.—Arf.t.  Zool.  p.  210. 
No.  108. 

This  very  elegant  spcits  inhabits  the  southom  districts  of  the 
United  States  in  summer ;  is  si'ldoin  seen  as  far  north  as  1  tr.nsylvania, 
but  is  very  abundant  in  South  Carolina  and  Georgia,  and  still  more  so 
in  West  Florida,  and  the  cxten.sive  prairies  of  Ohio  and  the  Indiana 
Territory.  I  met  with  these  birds,  in  the  early  part  of  May,  at  a  place 
called  Duck  Creek,  in  Toime.ssee,  and  found  them  .'^ailing  about  in  great 
numbers  near  Bayo  Mancha  n  tlio  Mis.^i.«sij)pi,  twenty  or  thirty  being 
within  iew  at  the  same  time.  At  that  season  a  species  of  Cicada., 
or  locust,  swarmed  among  the  woods,  making  a  deafening  noi.se,  and  I 
could  perceive  these  lluwks  frequently  snuti-hing  them  from  the  trees. 
-  A  species  of  lizard,  which  is  very  numerous  v.x  that  quarter  of  the 
country,  ami  ha.s  the  faculty  of  changing  its  color  at  will,  also  furnishes 
the  Swallow  fHiie(l  IJawk  with  :i  favcirite  n»«>r.sel.  These  lizards  are 
sometimes  of  the  most  l/rilliant  light  green,  in  a  few  minute.s  change  to 
a  dirty  clay  color,  and  agai?.  u.-f-ome  nearly  black.  The  Swallow-tailed 
Hawk,  and  MLssissippi  Kite,  feed  eagerly  on  tliic  lizard;  and,  it  is  said, 
on  a  small  green  snake  also,  w/ii«li  is  the  mortal  enemy  of  the  lizard, 
and  freijui'ntly  pursues  it  to  the  very  extremity  of  the  branches,  whore 
both  become  the  prey  of  the  Hawk.f 
The  Swallow-tailed  IlaWk  retires  to  the  south  in  October,  at  which 

•  F  forfiratus,  Linn.  Sytt.  i.,  p.  89,  Sp.  ii.,  ed.  10.— Lath.  hid.  Om.  p.  22,  No. 
41  — MUrus  fiirratut,  Vir.ii.i.DT,  (H».  de  I' Am.  Sritt.  vol.  i.,  p.  .'i.S,  pi.  10, 

t  This  aniiuiil,  if  I  iniMtak"  not,  ih  thi'  Ixxrertn  liullarix,  or  Hladdrr  Lizard,  of 
Torton,  vol.  i.,  p.  f>*»6.  Tlie  fiicility  witli  which  it  chan>;eg  color  it  nurprtsing, 
•nd  not  gmicnilly  known  Ut  imturnlisUi. 


J; 


SWALLOW-TAILED    HAWK. 


69 


season,  Mr.  Bartram  informs  mc,  they  are  seen  in  Florida,  at  a  vast 
height  in  the  air,  sailing  about  with  great  steadiness ;  and  continued 
to  be  seen  thus,  passing  to  their  winter  quarters,  for  several  days.  They 
usually  feed  from  their  claws  as  they  fly  along.  Their  flight  is  easy 
and  graceful,  with  sometimes  occasional  sweeps  among  the  trees,  the 
long  feathers  of  their  tail  spread  out,  and  each  oxtremity  of  it  used, 
alternately,  to  lower,  elevate,  or  otherwise  direct  their  course.  I  have 
never  yet  met  with  their  nests. 

These  birds  are  particularly  attached  to  the  extensive  prairies  of  tlic 
western  countries,  where  their  favorite  snakes,  lizards,  grasshoppers 
and  locusts,  are  in  abundance.  They  are  sometimes,  though  rarely, 
seen  in  Pennsylvania  and  New  Jersey,  and  that  on'v  in  long  and  very 
warm  summers.  We  are  informed,  that  one  was?  ikcn  in  th»»  South 
Sea,  off  the  cost  which  lies  between  Ylo  and  Ariua,  in  about  lat.  23* 
south,  on  the  eleventh  of  September,  by  the  Keverend  the  Father  Louis 
Feuilldt'.*  Tbey  are  also  common  in  Mexico>  and  extend  tkeir  migra- 
tions as  far  as  Peru. 

The  Swallow  (iiiled  Hawk  measures  full  two  feet  in  length  and  up- 
wards of  fitur  fi'it  six  inches  in  extent  ;  the  bill  is  black  ;  cere  yellow, 
covered  at  tlio  bane  with  bristles;  iris  of  the  eye  silvery  cream, 
suriounded  with  a  blood-red  ri  'g;  whole  head  and  neck  pure  white, 
the  shafts  fine  black  hairs :  the  whole  lower  parts  also  pure  white ; 
the  throat  and  breast  .shafted  in  the  same  manner  ;  upper  parts,  or  back, 
black,  glo.^sod  with  green  and  purple;  whole  lesser  coverts  very  liark 
purple ;  wings  long,  reaching  within  two  inches  of  the  tip  of  the'  tail, 
and  black  ;  tail  also  very  long,  and  remarkably  forked,  consisting  of 
twelve  feathers,  all  black,  glossed  with  green  and  purjjle ;  several  of 
the  tertials  white  or  edged  with  white,  but  generally  covered  by  the 
scapulars;  i.  ner  vanes  of  the  secondaries  white  on  their  upper  half, 
black  towards  their  points;  lining  of  the  wings  white;  legs  yellow, 
short  and  thick,  and  feathered  before,  half  way  lu'low  tlie  knee;  claws 
much  curved,  whitish ;  outer  claw-  very  small.  Tiie  greater  part  of  tlie  plu- 
mage is  white  at  the  base  ;  and  when  the  scaptilars  are  a  little  displaced, 
they  appear  spotted  with  white. 

This  was  a  nnile  in  pei-f.  /•  t  plumage.     The  color  and  markings  cf  the 
male  and  female  are  nearly  alike. 

*  Jour,  des  Oba.  torn,  ii.,  33. 


mit^": 


h    ' 


Spiciks  XII.     FALCO  MISSHSSIPPIENSIS* 

MISSISSIPPI    KITE. 

[FUte  XXV.    Fig.  1,  Male.] 

This  new  species  I  first  observed  in  tKe  Mississippi  territory,  a  few 
uiiles  below  Natchez,  on  the  plantation  of  VViUiam  Dunbar,  Esquire, 
where  the  bird  represented  in  the  piato  was  obtained  after  being  slightly 
wounded ;  and  the  drawing  made  with  great  care  from  the  living  K|)e(!i- 
uieii.  To  the  hospitality  of  the  gentleman  above  mentioned,  and  lim 
amiable  family,  I  am  indebted  for  the  opportunity  afforded  me  of  pro- 
curing this,  and  one  or  two  more  new  species.  This  excellent  man, 
(who.se  life  iias  been  devoted  to  scienee)  though  at  that  time  confined 
to  bed  by  a  severe  and  dangerous  indisposition,  and  personally  unac- 
quainted with  me,  no  sooner  heard  of  my  arrival  at  tiie  town  of  Natchez, 
than  he  «cnt  a  servant  an<l  horses,  with  an  invitation  and  request  to 
come  and  make  his  house  my  home  and  heail-ijuarters,  while  engaged  in 
exploring  that  part  of  the  country.  The  few  happy  days  1  spent  there 
I  shall  never  forget. 

In  my  perambulations,  I  frequently  remarked  this  ITawk  sailing  about 
in  easy  circle^  and  at  a  considerable  height  in  the  air,  generally  in 
company  willi  tlie  Turkey-Buzziinls,  who.se  nnmner  of  flight  it  so  exactly 
imitates,  aa  to  .seem  the  same  species,  only  in  miniature,  or  seen  at  u 
more  immense  height.  Why  the.se  two  birds,  whose  food  and  mantifrs, 
in  other  respects,  are  so  different,  should  si>  frequently  as.sociate  together 
in  air,  I  am  at  a  loss  to  compreheml.  We  cannot  for  a  moment  suppose 
them  mutually  deceived  by  the  similarity  of  each  other's  flight ;  the 
keenness  of  their  vision  forbids  all  suspicion  of  this  kind.  They  may 
perhaps  be  engaged,  at  .<ueh  times,  in  mere  amusement,  as  they  are 
observed  to  soar  to  great  lieights  prev  ious  to  a  .storm  ;  or,  what  is  more 
probable,  may  both  be  in  pursuit  of  their  respective  food.  One  that  lie 
,may  reconnoitre  a  vast  extent  of  surface  below,  »nd  trace  the  taintdl 
atmosphere  to  his  favorite  carrion  ;  the  other  in  .search  of  those  large 
beetles,  or  coleopterous  insects,  that  are  known  often  to  wing  the  higher 
regions  of  the  air ;  and  which,  in  the  three  individuals  of  this  species 


♦  Thio  spncici,  althouftli  Hupposml  to  1m)  nt-w  Ity  V.'iUon,  had  l>ocn  flxuri'il  ami 
(loHirilit'il  liy  Vii-illot.  in  hJH  "  Ilintoiro  .Nuliirello  den  Ulneaus  de  lAmfriqui' 
!*r|itfiitrionttU'."  iiiiiiir  the  immo  of  .Vi/ri(.»  crnchrii.  Vii'illot  rcfcrrt  it  to  lht» 
y.  plumheiit  ol  (imcliii,  uiid  iho  Sp>,(t<ii-taiUd  Uohby  of  l.uthuiu.  »J«ii.  Syn  i.,  p. 


lOG. 


(70) 


MISSISSIPPI    KITE. 


71 


of  Hawk  which  I  examined  by  dissection,  were  the  only  substances 
found  in  their  stomachs.  For  several  miles,  as  I  passed  near  Bayou 
Manchak,  the  trees  were  swarming  with  a  kind  of  Cicada,  or  locust, 
that  made  a  deafening  noise ;  and  hero  I  observed  numbers  of  the  Hawk 
now  before  us,  sweeping  about  among  the  trees  like  swallows,  evidently 
in  pursuit  of  these  locusts ;  so  that  insects,  it  would  appear,  are  the 
principal  food  of  this  species.  Yet  when  we  contemplate  the  beak  and 
talons  of  tills  bird,  both  so  sharp  and  powerful,  it  is  difficult  to  believe 
that  they  were  not  intended  by  nature  for  some  more  formidable  prey 
than  beetles,  locusts,  or  grasshoppers  ;  and  I  doubt  not  but  mice,  lizards, 
snakes  and  small  birds,  furnish  him  with  an  occasional  repast. 

This  Hawk,  though  wounded  and  precipitated  from  a  vast  height, 
exhibited,  in  his  distress,  symptoms  of  great  strength,  and  an  almost 
unconquerable  spirit.  I  no  sooner  approached  to  pick  him  up,  than  he 
instantly  gave  battle,  striking  rapidly  with  his  claws,  wheeling  round 
and  round  as  he  lay  partly  on  his  rump ;  and  defending  himself  with 
great  vigilance  and  dexterity  ;  while  his  dark  red  eye  sparkled  with 
rage.  Notwithstanding  all  my  caution  in  seizing  him,  to  carry  him 
home,  he  struck  his  hind  claw  into  my  hand  with  such  force  as  to  pene- 
trate into  the  bone.  Anxious  to  preserve  his  life,  I  endeavored  gently 
to  disengage  1t ;  but  this  made  him  only  contract  it  the  more  powerfully, 
causing  such  pain  that  I  had  no  other  alternative  but  that  of  cutting 
the  sinew  of  his  heel  with  my  penknife.  The  whole  time  he  lived  with 
me,  he  seemed  to  watch  every  movement  I  made ;  erecting  the  feathers 
of  his  hind-head,  and  eyeing  nie  with  savage  fierceness  ;  considering  me, 
no  doubt,  as  tiie  greatest  savage  of  the  two.  What  effect  education 
might  have  had  on  this  .-ipecies,  under  the  tutorship  of  some  of  the  old 
European  professors  of  Falconry,  I  know  not ;  but  if  extent  of  wing, 
atid  energy  of  cliaracter,  and  ease  ami  rapidity  of  flight,  would  have 
been  any  recommendations  to  royal  patronage,  this  species  possesses  all 
these  in  a  very  eminent  degree. 

The  long  pointed  wings,  and  forked  tail,  point  out  the  affinity  of  this 
bird  to  that  family,  or  subdivision  of  the  Faico  genus,  distinguished  by 
the  name  of  Kites,  which  sail  without  flapping  the  wings,  and  eat  from 
their  talons  as  they  glide  along. 

The  Mis.^issippi   Kite  nieasur«'s  fourteen  Inches  in  lengt'  hirty- 

six  inches,  or  three  feet,  in  extent.  The  head,  neck,  and  exunor  webs 
iif  the  secondaries,  are  of  a  hoary  white ;  the  lower  parts  a  whitish  ash  ; 
bill,  cere,  lores,  and  narrow  line  round  the  eye,  black  ;  back,  rump, 
scapulars,  and  wing-coverts,  dark  blackish  ash  ;  wings  very  long  and 
;r((iiited,  the  third  (juiti  the  longext ;  the  prinniries  are  black,  marked 
down  each  side  of  the  shaft  with  reddish  sorrel;  primary  coverts  also 
slightly  touched  with  the  same;  all  the  upper  plumage  at  the  roots  is 
white;  the  scapulars  are  also  spotted  with  white;  but  this  cannot  be 


A 


Itlll 

mil 


7? 


ROUGH-LEGGED    FALCON. 


perceived  unless  the  feathers  be  blown  aside ;  tail  slightly  forked,  and, 
as  well  as  the  rump,  jet  black  ;  legs  vermilion,  tinged  witri  orange  and 
becoming  blackish  towards  the  toes ;  claws  black ;  iris  of  the  eye  dark 
red,  pupil  black. 

This  was  a  male.  With  the  female,  which  is  e-xpccted  soon  from  that 
country,  I  shall,  in  a  future  volume,  communicate  such  further  informa- 
tion relative  to  their  manners  and  incubation,  as  I  may  be  able  to 
collect. 


H:*; 


•        -  Speciis  XIII.     FALCO  LAGOPUSi* 

r,  ROUGH-LEGGED    FALCON. 

[Plata  XXXIII.    Fig.  1.] 
Arcl.  Zool.  p.  2(X),  No.  92.— Latham,  i.,  75. 

This  handsome  species,  notwitii-standing  its  formidable  size  and 
appearance,  spends  the  chief  part  of  the  winter  among  our  low  swamps 
and  meadows,  watching  for  mice,  frogs,  lame  ducks,  and  other  inglorious 
game.  Twenty  or  thirty  individuals  of  this  family  have  regularly  taken 
up  their  wintor  (juiu'ters,  for  several  year.s  past,  and  probably  Kmg 
anterior  to  that  <late,  in  the  meadows  below  this  city,  between  the  rivers 
Delaware  and  Schuylkill,  where  they  spend  their  time  watching  along 
the  dry  banks  like  cats;  or  .sailing  low  ami  slowly  over  the  surface  of 
the  ditches.  Though  rendcnd  shy  from  the  many  attempts  made  to 
shoot  them,  they  selilom  fly  far,  usually  from  one  tree  to  anotiier,  at  no 
great  distance,  making  a  loud  squealing  as  they  arise,  something  resem- 
bling the  neighing  of  a  young  colt ;  though  in  a  more  shrill  and  savage 
tone. 

The  bird  represented  in  the  plate  was  one  of  this  fraternity  ;  and 
80veral  others  of  the  same  association  have  been  obtained  and  examined 
during  the  present  winter.  On  comparing  these  with  Pennant's  de.scri|)- 
tion,  referred  to  above,  they  correspond  so  exactly,  that  no  doubts 
remain  of  their  being  the  same  species.  Towartls  the  beginning  of 
.\pril,  these  birds  abandon  this  part  of  the  countcy,  and  retire  to  the 
north  to  breed. 

They  are  common  during  winter  in  the  lower  parts  of  Marylanvl,  «ud 
numerous  in  the  extensive  meadows  below  Newark,  New  Jersev  ;  aro 


•Wi   mid  tlif  fi  ilowiii^f  HyiionyinnK ;   Lath    Ind.  Orn.  \^.  lV>.— Gmt.  Syit.  I.,  p. 
aOO.— Tkhii.  M<iu   d'OiH    \  ,  p.  tt'.. 


t    t. 


ROUGH-LEGOEYi    FALCON. 


73 


frequent  along  the  Connecticut  river ;  and,  according  to  Pennant, 
inhabit  England,  Norway  and  Lapmark.  Their  flight  is  slow  and 
heavy.  They  are  often  seen  coursing  over  the  surface  of  the  meadows, 
long  after  sunset,  many  times  in  pairs.  They  generally  roost  on  the 
tall,  ''.cached  trees,  that  rise  from  these  low  grounds;  and  take  their 
stationi?,  at  daybreak,  near  a  ditch,  bank,  or  hay-stack,  for  hours 
together,  watching,  with  patient  vigilance,  for  the  first  unlucky  frog, 
mouse  or  lizard,  to  make  its  appearance.  The  instant  one  of  these  is 
descried,  the  hawk,  sliding  into  the  air,  and  taking  a  circuitous  course 
along  the  surface,  sweeps  over  the  spot,  and  in  an  instant  has  his  prey 
grappled  and  sprawling  in  the  air. 

The  Rough-legged  Hawk  measures  twenty-two  inches  in  length,  and 
four  feet  two  inches  in  extent ;  cere,  sides  of  the  mouth,  and  feet,  rich 
yellow ;  legs  feathered  to  the  toes  with  brownish  yellow  plumage, 
streaked  with  brown,  feniorals  the  same ;  toes  comparatively  short, 
claws  and  bill  blue  black  ;  iris  of  the  eye  briglit  amber ;  upper  part  of 
the  head  pale  ochre,  streaked  with  brown  ;  back  and  wings  chocolate, 
each  feather  edged  with  bright  fii  r\iginou8  ;  first  four  primaries  nearly 
black  about  the  tips,  edged  externally  with  silvery  in  some  lights;  rest 
of  the  quills  dark  chocolate;  lower  side,  and  interior  vanes,  white; 
tail-coverts  white ;  tail  rounded,  white,  with  a  broad  band  of  dark 
brown  near  the  end,  and  tipped  with  white ;  body  below,  and  breast, 
light  yellow  oihre,  blotched  and  streaked  with  chocolate.  What  con- 
stitutes a  characteristic  mark  of  this  bird,  is  a  belt  .  r  girdle,  of  very 
dark  brown,  passing  round  the  belly,  just  oolow  the  brea.>»t,  and  reach- 
ing under  the  wings  to  the  rump;  head  very  broad,  and  bill  uncoin- 
moidy  small,  suited  to  the  humilitv  of  us  pr»-y. 

The  female  is  nnich  darker  b*>th  above  and  below,  particularly  in  the 
belt  or  girdle,  which  is  nearly  black ;  the  tail-coverts  are  »lao  spotted 
with  chocoluu  ;  she  is  also  something  larger. 


-^3imsmmi',m-^-^'^  ssaft4i,53r::;*^i  j. . 


#flf-l-fil 


%i 


Hi- 
ll .:: 


Spiciis  XIV.    FALCO  NIGER* 

BLACK    HAWK. 

[PUtaLIII.    Fig.  1.] 

This,  and  the  other  two  figures  in  the  same  plate,  are  reduced  from 
the  large  drawings,  which  were  taken  of  the  exact  size  of  nature,  to 
one-half  their  dimensions.  I  regret  the  necessity  which  obliges  me  to 
contract  the  figures  of  these  birds,  by  which  much  of  the  grandeur  of 
the  originals  is  lost;  particular  attention,  however,  has-been  paid,  in 
the  reduction,  to  the  accurate  representation  of  all  their  parts. 

This  is  a  remarkably  shy  and  wary  bird,  found  n>ost  freijuently  along 
the  marshy  shores  of  our  large  rivers ;  feeds  on  mice,  frogs  and  moles ; 
sails  much,  and  sometimes  at  a  great  height ;  has  been  seen  to  kill  a 
duck  on  wing ;  sits  by  the  side  of  the  marshes,  on  a  stake,  for  an  hour 
at  a  time,  in  an  almost  perpendicular  position,  us  if  dozing;  Hies  with 
great  ease,  and  occjisionally  with  great  swiftness,  seldom  flapping  the 
wings  ;  seems  particularly  fond  of  river  shores,  swamps  and  marshes ; 
is  most  numerous  with  us  in  winter,  and  but  rarely  seen  in  summer;  is 
remarkable  for  the  great  size  of  its  eye,  length  of  its  wings,  and  short- 
ness of  its  toes.     The  breadth  of  its  head  is  likewise  uncommon. 

The  Black  Hawk  is  twenty-one  inches  long,  and  four  feet  two  inches 
in  extent ;  bill  bluish  black  ;  cere  and  sides  of  the  mouth  orange  yel- 
low ;  feet  tho  same ;  eye  very  large,  iris  bright  hazel ;  cartilage  over- 
hanging the  eye,  prominent,  of  a  dull  greenish  color ;  general  color 
above,  brown  black,  slightly  dashed  with  dirty  white ;  nape  of  the  neck 
pure  white  under  the  gurfacc  ;  front  white;  whole  lower  parts  black, 
with  slight  tinges  of  brown,  and  a  few  circular  touches  of  the  same  on 
the  femorals ;  legs  feathertsl  to  the  toes,  and  black,  touched  with 
brownish ;  the  wings  reach  rather  beyond  the  tip  of  the  tail ;  the  five 
first  primaries  are  white  on  their  inner  vanes;  tail  rounded  at  the  end, 
deep  black,  crossed  with  five  narrow  bands  of  pure  white,  and  broadly 
tipped  with  dull  Avhito ;  vent  black,  spotted  with  white ;  inside  vanes 
of  the  primaries  snowy ;  claws  black,  strong  and  sharp ;  toes  remark- 
ably short. 

I  strongly  su!i{>ect  this  biixi  to  be  of  the  very  same  species  with  the 
next,  though  both  were  found  to  Ke  «mU>s.     Although  difteiing  greatly 

•  A»  Wilson  ^usfxs^lisl.  thJH  i«  tli«   t'.  Sancti  Johannin  of  Latham.  Ind.  Om.  ji. 
34,  No.  74.— liMKi..  ^W.  I ,  p.  ^.^,  No.  tf2.     F.  S^padtcetu^    lU.  No.  91. 

(T4) 


BLACK    HAWK. 


7f 


m  plumage,  yet  in  all  their  charactcriatic  features  they  strikingly 
resemble  each  other.  The  Chocolate-colored  Falcon  of  Pennant,  and 
St.  John's  Falcon  of  the  same  author  (Arct.  Zool.  No.  93  and  94),  are 
doubtless  varieties  of  this ;  and  very  probably  his  Rough-legged  Falcon 
also.  His  figures,  however,  are  bud,  and  ill  calculated  to  exhibit  the 
true  form  and  appearance  of  the  bird. 

This  species  is  a  native  of  North  America  alone.  We  have  no 
account  of  its  ever  having  been  seen  in  any  part  of  Europe ;  nor  have 
we  any  account  of  its  place,  or  manner  of  breeding. 


BLACK  HAWK.— {VARIETY.*} 

[FUte  LIII.    Fig.  2.] 

This  is  probably  a  younger  bird  of  the  preceding  species,  being, 
though  a  male,  somewhat  less  than  its  companion.  Both  were  killed 
in  the  same  meadow,  at  the  same  place  &\h\  time.  In  form,  features, 
and  habitudes,  it  exactly  agreed  with  the  former. 

This  bird  measures  twenty  inches  in  length,  and  in  extent  four  feet ; 
the  eyes,  bill,  cere,  toes,  and  claws,  were  as  in  the  preceding;  head 
above  white,  siroaked  with  bliirk  and  light  brown  ;  along  the  eyebrows 
a  black  lino  ;  cheeks  streaked  like  the  luiul ;  neck  streaked  with  black 
and  reddif^h  brown,  on  a  pale  yellowish  white  ground ;  whole  upper 
parts  brown  black,  dashed  with  brownish  white  and  pale  ferruginous ; 
tail  white  for  half  its  length,  ending  in  brown,  marked  with  oia;  or  two 
bars  of  dusky,  and  a  large  bar  of  black,  and  tipped  with  dull  white ; 
wings  as  in  the  preceding,  their  lining  variegated  with  black,  Avliite  and 
ferruginous ;  throat  and  breast  brownish  yellow,  dashed  with  black ; 
belly  beautifully  variegated  with  spots  of  wliite,  black  and  pale  ferru- 
ginous ;  feinoruls  and  feathered  legs  the  same,  but  rather  darker  ;  vent 
plain  liriiwtiish  wliite. 

The  original  color  of  these  birds,  in  their  young  state,  may  probably 
be  pale  brown,  as  the  present  individual  seemed  to  be  eiianging  to  a 
darker  color  on  the  neck  and  sides  of  the  head.  This  change,  from 
|)ule  brown  to  black,  is  not  greater  tiian  some  of  the  genus  are  actually 
known  to  undergo.  One  great  advantage  of  examining  living,  or  newly 
killed  specimens,  is,  that  whatev».r  may  be  the  difference  of  color 
between  any  two,  the  eye,  countenance,  and  form  of  the  bead,  instantly 
betray  the  common  family  to  which  they  belong ;  for  this  family  like- 


As  WiUuii  tiuppoacd,  this  it)  tho  young  of  tlio  preceding  species. 


pr.  -v33 


■'■niT^ir-ffliirMlw 


mmm 


imtu^- '  :p 


fi 


i:'il 


1'^ 


vi 


I,"    1 1' 


IS' 


n 


WINTER    FALCON. 


ness  is  never  lost  in  the  living  bird,  though  in  stuffed  skins,  and  pro- 
Bervcd  specimens,  it  is  frequently  entirely  obliterated.  I  have  no 
hesitation,  therefore,  in  giving  it  as  my  opinion,  that  the  present  and 
preceding  birds  are  of  the  same  species,  differing  only  in  ago,  both 
being  males.     Of  the  female  I  am  unable  at  present  to  speak. 

Pennant,  in  his  ao  ountofthe  Chocolate-colored  Ilawk,  which  is  very 
probably  the  same  with  the  present  and  preceding  species,  observes, 
that  it  preys  much  on  ducks,  sitting  on  a  rock,  and  watching  their  rising, 
when  it  instantly  strikes  them. 

While  traversing  our  soacoast  and  salt  marshes,  between  Cape  May 
and  Egg  Harbor,  I  was  everywhere  told  of  a  iJuck  Ifatv/c,  noted  for 
striking  down  ducks  on  wing,  though  flying  with  their  usual  rapidity. 
Many  extravagances  were  mingled  with  these  accounts,  particularly, 
that  it  always  struck  the  Duck  with  its  breast-bone,  which  was  univer- 
sally said  to  project  several  inches,  and  to  be  strong  ant'  sharp.  From 
the  best  verbal  descriptions  I  could  obtain  of  this  Hawk,  1  have  strong 
suspicions  that  it  is  no  other  than  tiie  Black  Hawk,  as  its  wings  were 
said  to  be  long  and  very  pointed,  the  color  very  dark,  the  size  nearly 
alike,  and  several  other  traits  given  that  seemed  particularly  to  belong 
to  this  species.  As  1  have  been  promised  specimens  of  this  celebrated 
Hawk  next  winter,  a  short  time  will  enable  me  to  determine  the  matter 
more  satisfactorily.  Few  gunners  in  that  quarter  are  unacquainted 
with  the  Duck  Jlatvk,  as  it  often  robs  them  of  their  wounded  birds, 
before  they  are  able  to  reach  them. 


Spkcies  XVr.    FALCO  in'fJVALIS. 

WINTER    FALCON. 

[Plate  XXXV.    Fig.  1.] 
TuRTO.v,  Sysl.  p.  IbH.—Arct.  Zool.  p.  209,  No.  107.* 

This  elegant  and  spirited  [lawk  is  represented  in  the  plate  of  one- 
half  its  natural  size;  the  other  two  figures  are  reduced  in  the  same 
proportion.  He  visits  us  from  the  north  early  in  November,  and  leaves 
\is  late  in  March. 

This  is  a  dexterous  Frog-catcher ;  who,  that  he  may  pursue  his  pro- 
fession with  full  effect,  takes  up  his  winter  residence  almost  entirely 
among  our  meadows   and  marshes.     He  sometimes  stuffs   himself  so 

•We  odd  the  fillowing  gynoriymes:  Falco  hi/fmalit.  (Jmii,.  Syal.  i.,  p.  274.— 
Lath.  Ind.  (hn.  p.  35. 


WINTER    FALCON. 


77 


enormously  with  these  reptiles,  that  the  prominency  of  his  craw  makoa 
a  largo  hunch,  and  he  appears  to  fly  with  difHculty.  I  have  taken  the 
broken  fragments,  and  whole  carcasses,  of  ten  frogs,  of  different  dimon- 
aions,  from  the  crop  of  a  single  individual.  Of  his  genius  and  other 
exploits  I  am  unable  to  say  much.  He  appears  to  bo  a  fearless  and 
active  bird,  silent,  and  not  very  shy.  One  which  I  kept  for  some  time, 
and  which  was  slightly  wounded,  disdained  all  attempts  made  to  recon- 
cile him  to  confinement ;  and  would  not  suffer  a  person  to  approach, 
without  being  highly  irritated ;  throwing  himself  backward,  and  strik- 
ing with  expanded  talons,  with  great  fury.  Though  shorter  winged 
than  some  of  his  tribe,  yet  I  have  no  doubt,  but,  with  proper  care,  he 
might  bo  trained  to  strike  nobler  game,  in  a  bold  stylo,  and  with  great 
effect.  IJut  the  education  of  Hawks  in  this  country  may  well  bo  post- 
poned for  a  time,  until  fewer  improvements  remain  to  be  made  in  that 
of  the  human  subject. 

Length  of  the  Winter  Hawk  twenty  inches,  extent  forty-one  inches, 
or  nearly  three  feet  six  inches ;  cere  and  legs  yellow,  the  latter  long, 
and  feathered  for  an  inch  below  the  knoo  ;  bill  bluish  black,  small,  fur- 
nished with  a  tooth  in  the  upper  mandible ;  eye  bright  amber,  cartilage 
over  the  eye  very  |)rominent,  and  of  a  dull  green  ;  head,  sides  of  the 
neck,  and  thront,  dark  bri)wn,  streaked  with  white;  lesser  coverts  with 
a  strong  glow  of  ferruginous ;  secondaries  pale  brown,  indistinctly 
barred  with  darker ;  ju'imaries  brownish  orange,  8j)otted  with  black, 
wholly  black  at  the  tips ;  tail  bug.  slightly  rounded,  barred  alternately 
with  dark  and  pale  brown,  inner  vanes  white,  exterinr  fcather.-i  brownish 
orange;  wings,  when  closed,  reach  ratlur  beyond  the  middle  .)f  the 
tail;  tail-coverts  white,  marked  with  heart-sliape<l  spots  of  brown; 
brea.st  and  belly  white,  with  numerous  longilrops  of  brown,  the  shafts 
blackish ;  femoral  feathers  large,  pale  yi-llow  ochre,  marked  with 
numerous  minute  streaks  of  pale  l)r()wn  ;  claws  black.  The  legs  of 
\  this  bird  are  represented  by  different  authors  as  slender  ;  but  I  saw  no 
appearance  of  this  in  those  I  examined. 

The    female   is   considerably   darker   above,   and    about   two    inche!! 
longer. 


M 


1 

Bf -^Ift  mk'v' 

M 

m  -^  '  l^i 

i 

1 1' :  i'; 

I 

m 

ii^B 

■ 

•   ->':  ".'r* 


FALCO  LISEATUS* 

RED-SHOULDERED    HAWK. 

[Plate  LIII.    Fig.  3] 

'Aret.  Zool.  p.  206,  No.  102.— Lath,  i.,  56,  No.  36.— Turt.  Sytt.  p.  153 

This  Hawk  is  more  rarely  met  with  than  either  of  those  in  the  same 
plate.  Its  liaunts  are  in  the  neij^hhorhood  of  the  sea.  It  preys  on 
Larks,  Sandpipers,  and  the  small  IJinged  TMover,  and  frerpuMitly  on 
Duck.x.  It  Hies  hij;li  iiiid  irregularly,  and  not  in  the  sailing  manner  of 
the  Long-winged  Hawks.  I  have  occasionally  observed  this  bird  near 
Egg  Harbor,  in  New  Jersey ;  and  once  in  the  meadows  below  this  city. 
This  Hawk  was  first  tran.smitted  to  Great  Britain  by  Mr.  IJlackburne, 
from  Long  Island,  in  the  state  of  New  York.  Of  its  tnanner  of  build- 
ing, cgg.s,  &c.,  we  are  altogether  unac(|iiainted. 

The  Red-shouldered  Hawk  is  nineteen  inches  in  length;  the  head 
and  back  are  brown,  seamed  and  e<lged  with  nisty ;  bill  bino  black; 
cere  and  legs  yellow  ;  greater  w  ing-coverts  and  secondaries  pale  olive 
brown,  thickly  spotted  on  both  vanes  with  white  and  pale  rusty  ;  prima- 
ries very  dark,  nearly  black,  antl  barred  or  spotted  with  white;  tail 
rounded,  reaching  about  an  inch  and  a  half  beyond  the  wings,  black, 
crossed  by  five  bands  of  white,  and  broadly  tipped  with  the  same;  whole 
breast  and  belly  bright  rusty,  speckled  and  spotted  with  transverse  rows 
of  white,  the  shafts  black  ;  chin  and  cheeks  pale  browni.sh,  streaked 
also  with  black  ;  iris  reddish  hazel ;  vent  pale  ochre,  tipped  with  rusty ; 
legs  feathere<l  a  little  below  the  knees,  long ;  these  and  the  feet  a  fine 
yellow ;  claws  black  ;  femorals  pale  rusty,  faintly  barred  with  a  darker 
tint. 

In  the  month  of  April  I  .shot  a  female  of  this  species,  atnl  the  only 
one  I  have  yet  met  with,  in  a  swamp,  seven  or  eighi  miles  below  Phila- 
delphia. The  eggs  were,  some  of  them,  nearly  .as  large  as  peas,  from 
which  circumstance  I  think  it  probable  they  breed  in  such  .solitary  parts, 
even  in  this  siate.  In  color,  size  and  markings,  it  ditfcred  very  little 
from  the  male  described  above.  The  tail  was  scarcely  quite  so  black, 
and  the  nhite  bars  not  so  pure  ;  it  was  also  something  larger. 


•  This  ia  stated  by  Prince  Muoignano  to  bo  the  young  male  of  the  preceding 
BpeoioB. 

(78) 


Spicim  XVI.     FALCO   UUGINOSSU* 

MARSH  HAWK. 

[PuuLi.  rir  1] 

Edw.  IV.,  291.— Lath,  i.,  W.—Arct.  Zool.  p.  208,  No.  105.— Bartram,  p.  290. 

A  DRAWING  of  this  Hawk  was  transinitterl  to  Edwards  more  than 
fifty  years  ago,  hy  Mr.  William  Bartram,  and  engraved  in  Plate  291 
of  Edwards'  Natural  History.  At  that  time,  and  I  believe  till  now,  it 
has  been  con.sidorcd  as  n  species  peculiar  to  this  country. 

I  have  examined  various  individuals  of  this  Hawk,  both  in  summer 
and  in  the  depth  of  winter,  and  find  them  to  correspond  so  nearly  with 
the  Ring-tail  of  Europe,  that  I  have  no  doubt  of  their  being  the  same 
si)ecies.t 

This  Hank  is  most  Jiurnerous  where  there  arc  extensive  meadows 
and  salt  marshes,  over  which  it  sails  very  low,  making  frequent  circui- 
tous sweeps  over  the  same  grnund,  in  search  of  a  species  of  mouse, 
figured  in  Plate  L.,  and  very  abundant  in  such  situatioii-;.  It  occasion- 
ally flaps  the  wings,  but  is  most  commonly  seen  sailing  about  within  a 
few  feet  of  the  surface.  They  are  usually  known  by  the  name  of  the 
Mouse  Hawk  a!  ng  the  coa-'t  of  New  Jersey,  where  they  arc  very  com- 
mon. Several  vs,  '■  also  brought  mo  last  winter  from  the  meadows 
below  Philmlelphia.  Having  never  seen  its  nest,  I  am  unable  to  describe 
it  from  my  own  observation.  If  is  said,  by  European  writers,  to  build 
on  the  ground,  or  on  low  limbs  of  tn'es.  Pennant  observes,  that  it 
sometimes  changes  to  a  rust-iolored  \  -ty,  except  on  the  rump  and 
tail.  It  is  found,  f  was  to  be  t'xpec,  I,  at  Iluoson's  Bay,  Ixing 
native  in  both  this  ;  ititudo  and  that  of  Britain.  We  are  also  informed 
that  it  is  common  in  the  open  and  temperate  purts  ■>f  Russia  and 
Siberia  ;  and  extends  as  far  as  Lake'  Baikal,  though  it  is  «aid  not  to  be 
found  in  the  north  of  Europe.^ 

The  Marsh  Hawk  is  twenty-one  inches  long,  and  three  feet  eleven  iches 
extent ;  cere  and  legs  yellow,  the  former  tinged  with  green,  the  Litter 


•  Fdlro  pygargua,  LiNS. 

tThi.M  upitiioti  of  WiNdn'n  Ih  in  accordnnoe  with  tlint  of  wimc  recent  ornitholo);ii*ts, 
Wir  add  tlio  followinj;  nvnonymea:  F.  a/aneus,  (jmki,.  Si/.it.i.,  p.  220. — Lath.  Ind. 
Orn.  p.  'M.—llinii-t(iil,  1'bnn.  ':  '  'Ami.  i.,p.  104,  No.  U'.<  —lien- Harrier,  Id.  p.  19.3, 
No.  M. —  F.  jii/i/ari/un,  Linn,  Sv"  i.,  p.  89,  No.  9,  od.  10. —  Circus  Hiul.icnius, 
Vifii,.  Ois  de  I' Am.  Se]tl.  I.,  ji  3fi,  ),1.  9, — liuzard  Saint-.Vartin,  Temm.  Man.  d'  'Mm 
I.,  p.  72. 

J  Palls,  an  quoted  hy  Pennani. 

(79) 


sTVi 


*> 


^%. 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-S) 


A. 


.<'''  ^  ^  ^' 


^ 


z« 


1.0 


I.I 


M 

11.8 


1.25 

1.4       1.6 

^ 6"     

► 

Photographic 

Sciences 
Corpordtion 


^ 


\ 


S, 


\ 


k 


\\ 


% 


V 


*> 
^ 


^ 


% 


6^ 


23  WEST  MAk    :  'JJEET 

WEBSTER  NY    I4S80 

(716)  872-4503 


V 


w. 


C/j 


t 


o^ 


^ 


I 


I. 


i.     M 


1  5  I  i  1 


I      It 


);■• , 


80 


MARSH    HAWK. 


long  and  slender ;  nostril  large,  triangular,  this,  and  the  base  of  the 
bill,  thickly  covered  with  strong  curving  hairs,  that  rise  from  the 
space  between  the  eye  and  bill,  arching  over  the  base  of  the  bill  and 
cere — this  is  a  particular  characteristic  ;  bill  blue,  black  at  the  end  ; 
eye  dark  hazel ;  cartilage  overhanging  the  eye,  and  also  the  eyelid, 
bluish  green  ;  spot  under  the  eye,  and  line  from  the  front  over  it, 
brownish  white  ;  head  above,  and  back,  dai-k  glossy  chocolate  brown, 
the  former  slightly  seamed  with  bright  ferruginous ;  scapulars  spotted 
with  the  same  under  the  surface  ;  lesser  coverts,  and  band  of  the  wing, 
here  and  there  edged  with  the  same ;  greater  coverts  and  primaries 
tipped  with  whitish ;  quills  deep  brown  at  the  extreme  half,  some  of  the 
outer  ones  hoary  on  the  exterior  edge  ;  all  the  primaries  yellowish  white 
on  the  inner  vanes  and  upper  half,  also  barred  on  the  inner  vanes 
with  black  ;  tail  long,  extending  three  inches  beyond  the  wings,  rounded 
at  the  end,  and  of  a  pale  sorrel  color,  crossed  by  four  broad  bars  of 
very  dark  brown,  the  two  middle  feathers  excepted,  which  are  barred 
with  deep  and  lighter  shades  of  chocolate  brown  ;  chin  pale  ferruginous  ; 
round  the  neck  a  collar  of  bright  rust  color ;  breast,  belly  and  vent, 
pale  rust,  shafted  with  brown ;  femorals  long,  tapering,  and  of  the 
same  pale  rust  tint ;  legs  feathered  near  an  inch  below  the  knee.  This 
was  a  female.  The  male  differs  chiefly  in  being  rather  lighter,  and 
somewhat  less. 

This  Hawk  is  particularly  serviceable  to  the  rice  fields  of  the  southern 
states,  by  the  havoc  it  makes  among  the  clouds  of  Rice  Buntings,  that 
spread  such  devu.'itation  among  that  grain,  in  its  early  stiige.  As  it 
sails  low  and  swiftly,  over  the  surface  of  the  field,  it  keeps  tlie  flocks  in 
perpetual  fluctuation,  and  greatly  interrupts  their  depreciations.  Tlic 
planters  consider  orie  Marsli  Hawk  to  be  equal  to  several  negroes,  for 
alarming  the  Rice-birds.  Formerly  the  Marsh  Ilawk  u.sed  to  be  numer- 
ous along  the  Schuylkill  and  Delaware,  during  the  time  the  seeds  of  the 
Zizania  were  ripening,  and  the  Reed-birds  abundant ;  but  they  have  of 
late  years  become  less  numerous  here. 

Pennant  considers  the  '■'■strong,  thick,  and  short  legs"  of  this  species 
as  specific  distinctions  from  the  Ring-tailed  Hawk  ;  the  legs,  however, 
are  long  and  slender  ;  and  a  Marsh  Ilawk  such  as  he  has  described,  with 
strong,  thick  and  short  legs,  is  nowhere  to  be  found  in  the  United  States. 

Note. — Montagu,  in  the  "  Supplement  to  the  Ornithologieal  Diction- 
ary," an  excellent  work,  positively  asserts,  that  the  F.  cyaneus,  and  the 
F.  pygargus,  are  the  same  species.  This  opinion  the  same  writer  had 
given  in  a  paper,  published  in  the  ninth  volume  of  the  Linnean  Trans- 
actions. If  this  be  tiie  fact,  the  name  o{ pygargus  must  be  retained  tor 
the  species,  it  being  that  which  was  given  to  it  by  Linnicus,  in  the  tenth 
edition  of  the  Systema  Naturaj,  published  in  the  year  1758. — G.  Ord. 


Genus  III.    STRIX.  OWL.  .^  ,  .,    /  _. , 

Species  I.     STRIX  NYCTEA.  •       .;•.'. 

*  SNOW  OWL. 

[Plate  XXXII.    Fig.  l-lfale]  ^  •    ' 

Latbam  I.,  132,  No.  17.— BuFFON  i.,  387.— Grea^  White  Owl,  Edw.  61.— .Sfnoioy 
OicZ,  ^rci.  Zoo/.  233,  No.  121. • 

The  Snow  Owl  represented  in  the  plate,  is  reduced  to  half  its  natural 
size.  To  preserve  the  apparent  magnitude,  the  other  accompanying 
figures  are  drawn  by  the  same  scale. 

This  great  northern  hunter  inhabits  the  coldest  and  most  dreary 
regions  of  the  northern  hemisphere,  in  both  continents.  The  forlorn 
mountains  of  Greenland,  covered  with  eternal  ice  and  snows,  where,  for 
nearly  half  the  year,  the  silence  of  death  and  desolation  might  almost 
be  expected  to  reign,  furnish  food  and  shelter  to  this  hardy  adventurer ; 
whence  he  is  only  driven  by  the  extreme  severity  o*"  weather  towards 
the  seashore.  He  is  found  in  Lapland,  Norway,  and  the  country  near 
Hudson's  Bay,  during  the  whole  year ;  is  said  to  be  common  in  Siberia, 
and  numerous  in  Kamtschatka.  lie  is  often  seen  in  Canada,  and  the 
northern  districts  of  the  United  States ;  and  sometimes  extends  his  visits 
to  the  borders  of  Florida.  Nature,  ever  provident,  has  so  effectually 
secured  this  bird  from  the  attacks  of  cold,  that  not  even  a  point  is  left 
exposed.  The  bill  is  almost  completely  hid  amorg  a  mass  of  feathers, 
that  cover  the  face  ;  the  legs  are  clothed  with  such  an  exuberance  of  long 
thick  hair-like  plumage,  as  to  appear  nearly  as  large  as  those  of  a  mid- 
dle sized  dog,  nothing  being  visible  but  the  claws,  which  are  large,  black, 
much  hooked,  and  extremely  sharp.  The  whole  plumage,  below  the  sur- 
face, is  of  the  most  exquisitely  soft,  warm,  and  elastic  kind ;  and  so 
closely  matted  together,  as  to  make  it  a  difficult  matter  to  penetrate  to 
the  skin. 

The  usual  food  of  this  species  is  said  to  be  hares,  grouse,  rabbits,  ducks, 
mice,  and  even  carrion.  Unlike  most  of  his  tribe,  he  hunts  by  day  as 
well  as  by  twilight,  and  is  particularly  fond  of  frequenting  the  shores 
and  banks  of  shallow  rivers,  over  the  surface  of  which  he  slowly  sails, 
or  sits  on  a  rock,  a  little  raised  above  tho  water,  watching  for  fish. 

♦  We  add  tho  following  synonymcs:  Strix  nyctea,  Linn.  Sy»t.  ed.  10,  i.,  p.  93. — 
Gmei,.  .*?(/«<.  I.,  p.  291. — i'iATH.  Ind.  Om.  p  67. — Sirix  Candida,  Id.  Sup.  2,  p.  14. — 
ViEiL.  dis.  de  I'Am,  Sep,,  i.,  pi.  18.— Tvhh.  Man.  d'Om.  i.,  p.  82. 

Vol.  I.— 6  (81) 


a:-. -J  •■ 


■Si 


82 


SNOW    OWL. 


These  he  seizes  with  a  sudden  and  instantaneous  stroke  ol  the  foot, 
fieldom  missing  his  aim.  In  the  more  southern  and  thickly  settled  parts 
he  is  seldom  seen ;  and  when  he  appears,  his  size,  color,  and  singular 
aspect,  attract  general  notice. 

In  the  month  of  October  I  met  with  this  bird  on  Oswego  river.  New 
York,  a  little  below  the  falls,  vig'lantly  watching  for  fish.  At  Pittsburgh, 
in  the  month  of  February,  I  saw  another,  which  had  been  shot  in  the 
wing  some  time  before.  At  a  place  on  the  Ohio  called  Long  Reach,  I 
examined  another,  which  was  the  first  ever  recollected  to  have  been  seen 
there.  In  the  town  of  Cincinnati,  state  of  Ohio,  two  of  these  birds 
alighted  upon  the  roof  of  the  court-house,  and  alarmed  the  whole  town. 
A  people  more  disposed  to  superstition,  would  have  deduced  some  dire 
or  fortunate  prognostication,  from  their  selecting  such  a  place ;  but  the 
only  solicitude  was  how  to  get  possession  of  them,  which  after  several 
volleys  was  at  length  effected.  One  of  these,  a  female,  I  afterwards  ex- 
amined, when  on  my  way  through  that  place  to  New  Orleans.  Near 
Bairdstown,  in  Kentucky,  I  met  with  a  large  and  very  beautiful  one, 
which  appeared  to  be  altogether  unknown  to  the  inhabitants  of  that 
quarter,  and  excited  general  surprise.  A  person  living  on  the  eastern 
shore  of  Maryland,  shot  one  of  those  birds  a  few  months  ago,  a  female, 
and,  having  stuffed  the  skin,  brought  it  to  Philadelphia,  to  Mr.  Peale, 
in  expectation  no  doubt  of  a  great  reward.  I  have  examined  eleven  of 
these  birds  within  these  fifteen  months  last  past,  in  different  and  very 
distant  parts  of  the  country,  all  of  which  were  shot  cither  during  winter, 
late  in  the  fall,  or  oarly  in  spring ;  so  that  it  docs  not  appear  certain 
whether  any  remain  during  summer  within  the  territory  of  the  United 
States ;  though  I  think  it  highly  probable  that  a  few  do,  in  some  of  the 
more  northern  inland  parts,  where  they  are  most  numerous  during 
winter. 

The  color  of  this  bird  is  well  suited  for  concealment,  while  roaming 
over  the  general  waste  of  snows;  and  its  flight  strong  and  swift,  very 
similar  to  that  of  some  of  our  large  Hawks.  Its  hearing  must  be  ex- 
quisite, if  we  judge  from  the  largeness  of  these  organs  in  it ;  and  its 
voice  is  so  dismal,  that,  as  Pennant  observes,  it  adds  horror  even  to  the 
regions  of  Greenland  by  its  hideous  cries,  resembling  those  of  a  man  in 
deep  distress. 

The  male  of  this  species  measures  twenty-two  inches  and  a  half  in 
length,  and  four  feet  six  inches  in  breadth ;  head  and  nock  nearly  white, 
with  a  few  small  dots  of  dull  brown  interspersed;  eyes  deep  sunk  under 
projecting  eyebrows,  the  plumage  at  their  internal  angles  fluted  or 
pressed  in,  to  admit  direct  vision,  below  this  it  bristles  up,  covering 
nearly  the  whole  hill ;  the  irides  are  of  the  most  brilliant  golden  yellow, 
and  the  countenance,  from  the  proportionate  smallness  of  the  head,  pro- 
jection of  the  eyebrow,  and  concavity  of  the  plumage  at  the  angle  of 


[MU'£. 


SNOW    OWL. 


88 


lalf  in 

white, 

uiidor 

ted    or 


the  eye,  very  different  from  that  of  any  other  of  the  genus ;  general 
color  of  the  body  white,  marked  with  lunatcd  spots  of  pale  brown  above, 
and  with  semicircular  dashes  below ;  femoral  feathers  long,  and  legs 
covered,  even  over  the  claws,  with  long  shaggy  hair-like  down,  of  a  dirty 
white ;  the  claws,  when  exposed,  appear  large,  much  hooked,  of  a  black 
color,  and  extremely  sharp  pointed ;  back  white,  tail  rounded  at  the 
end,  white,  slightly  dotted  with  pale  brown  near  the  tips ;  wings,  when 
closed,  reach  near  the  extremity  of  the  tail ;  vent  feathers  large,  strong 
shafted,  and  extending  also  to  the  point  of  the  tail ;  upper  part  of  the 
breast  and  belly  plain  white ;  body  very  broad  and  flat. 

The  female,  which  measures  two  feet  in  length,  and  five  feet  two  inches 
in  extent,  is  covered  more  thickly  with  spots  of  a  much  darker  color 
than  those  on  the  male ;  the  chin,  throat,  face,  belly  and  vent,  are 
white ;  femoral  feathers  white,  long  and  shaggy,  marked  with  a  few 
heart-shaped  spots  of  brown ;  legs  also  covered  to  the  claws  with  long 
white  hairy  down ;  rest  of  the  plumage  white,  every  feather  spotted  or 
barred  with  dark  brown,  largest  on  the  wing  quills,  where  they  are  about 
two  inches  apart ;  fore  part  of  the  crown  thickly  marked  with  roundish 
black  spots ;  tail  crossed  with  bands  of  broad  brownish  spots ;  shafts  of 
all  the  plumage  white ;  bill  and  claws,  as  in  the  male,  black ;  third  and 
fourth  wing  quill  the  longest,  span  of  the  foot  four  inches. 

From  the  various  individuals  of  these  birds  which  I  have  examined, 
I  have  reason  to  believe  that  the  male  alone  approaches  nearly  to  white 
in  his  plumage,  the  female  rarely  or  never.  The  bird  from  "A-hich  tho 
figure  in  the  plate  was  drawn,  was  killed  at  Egg  Harbor,  New  Jcrsejj, 
in  the  month  of  December.  The  conformation  of  the  eye  of  this  bird 
forms  a  curious  and  interesting  subject  to  the  young  anatomist.  The 
globe  of  the  eye  is  immovably  fixed  in  its  socket,  by  a  strong,  clastic, 
hard,  cartilaginous  case,  in  form  of  a  truncated  cone ;  this  case  being 
closely  covered  with  a  skin,  appears  at  first  to  be  of  one  continued 
piece ;  but  on  removing  the  exterior  membrane  it  is  found  to  be  formed 
of  fifteen  pieces,  placed  like  the  staves  of  a  cask,  overlapping  a  little 
at  the  base  or  narrow  end,  and  soeni  as  if  capable  of  being  enlarged 
or  contracted,  perhaps  by  the  muscular  membrane  with  which  they  are 
encased.  In  five  other  different  species  of  Owls,  which  I  have  since 
examined,  I  found  nearly  the  same  conformation  of  this  organ,  and 
exactly  the  same  number  of  staves.  Tiie  eye  being  thus  fixed,  these 
birds,  as  they  view  differctit  objects,  are  always  obliged  to  turn  the  head  ; 
and  nature  has  so  excellently  adapted  their  neck  to  this  purpose,  that 
they  can,  with  ease,  turn  it  round,  without  moving  the  body,  in  almost 
a  complete  circle. 


MS 


'Si*  iv 


f( 


W 


Specijs  III.     STRLT  HUDSONIA* 

HAWK    OWL. 

[FUto  L.    Fig.  e.] 

Little  Hawk  Owl,  Edw.  62.— Lath,  i.,  142,  No.  2<i.—Phil.  Trant.  61.  385— Z<!  Chat- 
hnant  dc  Canada,  Briss.  I.,  518.— Ruff,  i.,  391. — Chouette  d  Umgue  queue  de 
Siberie,  PI.  enl.  463.— ^rc<.  Zool.  p.  234.  No.  123. 

This  is  another  inhabitant  of  both  continents,  a  kind  of  equivocal 
species,  or  rather  a  connecting  link  between  the  Hawk  and  Owl  tribes, 
resembling  the  latter  in  the  feet,  and  in  the  radiating  feathers  round 
the  eye  and  bill ;  but  approaching  nearer  to  the  former  in  the  smallness 
of  its  head,  narrowness  of  its  face,  and  in  its  length  of  tail.  In  short, 
it  seems  just  such  a  figure  as  one  would  expect  to  see  generated  between 
a  Hawk  and  an  Owl  of  the  same  size,  were  it  pos.sibIe  for  them  to  pro- 
duce ;  and  yet  it  is  as  distinct,  independent,  and  original  a  species,  as 
any  other.  The  figure  in  the  plate  is  reduced  to  one-half  the  size  of 
life.  It  has  also  another  strong  trait  of  the  Hawk  tribe,  in  flying  and 
preying  by  day,  contrary  to  the  general  habit  of  Owls.  It  is  charac- 
terized as  a  hold  and  active  species,  following  the  fowler,  and  carrying 
off  his  game  as  soon  as  it  is  shot.  It  is  said  to  prey  on  Partridges  and 
other  birds ;  and  is  very  common  at  Hudson's  Bay ;  where  it  is  called 
by  the  Indians  Coparacoch.'\  We  are  also  informed  that  this  same 
species  inhabits  Denmark  and  Sweden,  is  frequent  in  all  Siberia,  and 
on  the  west  side  of  the  Uralian  chain,  as  far  as  Casan  and  the  Volga ; 
but  not  in  Russia.J  It  was  also  seen  by  the  navigators  near  Sandwich 
sound,  in  lat.  61°  north. 

This  species  is  very  rare  in  Pcnn.sylvania,  and  the  more  southern 
parts  of  the  United  States.  Its  favorite  range  seems  to  be  along  the 
borders  of  the  arctic  regions,  making  occasional  excursions  southwardly, 
when  compelled  by  severity  of  weather,  and  consequent  scarcity  of  food. 
I  eome  time  ago  received  a  drawing  of  this  bird  from  the  district  of 
Maine,  whore  it  was  considered  rare ;  that,  and  the  speoiraen  fronj 
which  the  drawing  in  the  plate  was  taken,  which  was  shot  in  the  neigh- 
borhood of  Philadelphia,  are  the  only  two  that  have  come  under  my 
notice.  These  having  luckily  happened  to  be  male  and  female,  have 
enabled  me  to  give  a  description  of  both.  Of  their  nest,  or  manner 
of  breeding,  we  have  no  account. 


•  Strix  funerea,  Linx.,  which  name  must  be  adopted, 
t  Edwards.  J  Pennant. 


(84) 


m,  \A,.\ 


HAWK    OWL. 


86 


The  male  of  this  species  is  fifteen  inches  long;  the  bill  orange 
yellow,  and  almost  hid  among  the  feathers ;  plumage  of  the  chin  curv- 
ing up  over  the  under  mandible ;  eyes  bright  orange  ;  head  small ;  face 
narrow,  and  with  very  little  concavity ;  cheeks  white ;  crown  and  hind- 
head  dusky  black,  thickly  marked  with  round  spots  of  white ;  sides  of  the 
neck  marked  with  a  large  curving  streak  of  brown  black,  with  another  a 
little  behind  it  of  a  triangular  form ;  back,  scapulars,  rump  and  tail- 
coverts,  brown  olive,  thickly  speckled  with  broad  spots  of  white ;  the 
tail  extends  three  inches  beyond  the  tips  of  the  wings,  is  of  a  brown 
olive  color,  and  crossed  with  six  or  seven  narrow  bars  of  white,  rounded 
at  the  end,  and  also  tipped  with  white ;  the  breast  and  chin  are  marked 
with  a  large  spot  of  brown  olive ;  upper  part  of  the  breast  light,  lower, 
and  all  the  parts  below,  elegantly  barred  with  dark  brown  and  white ; 
legs  and  feet  covered  to,  and  beyond  the  claws,  with  long  whitish 
plumage,  slightly  yellow,  and  barred  with  fine  lines  of  olive;  claws 
horn  color.     The  weight  of  this  bird  was  twelve  ounces. 

The  female  is  much  darker  above ;  the  quills  are  nearly  black,  and 
the  upper  part  of  the  breast  is  blotched  with  deep  blackish  brown. 

It  is  worthy  of  remark,  that  in  all  Owls  that  fly  by  night,  the 
exterior  edges  and  sides  of  the  wing  quills  are  slightly  recurved,  and 
end  in  fine  hairs  or  points ;  by  which  means  the  bird  is  enabled  to  pass 
through  the  air  with  the  greatest  silence,  a  provision  necessary  for 
enabling  them  the  better  to  surprise  their  prey.  In  the  Hawk  Owl 
now  before  us,  which  flies  by  day,  and  to  whom  this  contrivance  would 
be  of  no  consequence,  it  is  accordingly  omitted,  or  at  least  is  scarcely 
observable.  So  judicious,  so  wise  and  perfectly  applicable,  are  all  the 
dispositions  of  the  Creator. 


^ 


!' 


u 


bfj"!  i 


'I 


Specibs  III.     STRIX  NEBVLOSA. 

BARRED   OWL.  ' 

[Plate  XXXIII.    Fig.  2]  -.' 

Ti/RTON,  Syst.  169.— ^rc/.  ZiK)l.  p.  234,  No.  122— Lath.  133.— S<na:  acclamator, 
the  Whooling  Owl,  Bartraii,  289.* 

This  is  one  of  our  most  common  Owls.  In  winter,  particularly,  it  is 
uumcrous  in  the  lower  parts  of  Pennsylvania,  among  the  woods  that 
border  the  extensive  meadows  of  Schuylkill  and  Delaware.  It  is  very 
frequently  observed  flying  during  day,  and  certainly  sees  more  distinctly, 
at  that  time,  than  many  of  its  genus.  In  one  spring,  at  difl'erent  times, 
I  met  with  more  than  forty  of  them,  generally  flying,  or  sitting  exposed. 
I  also  once  met  with  one  of  their  nests,  containing  three  young,  in  the 
crotch  of  a  white  oak,  among  thick  foliage.  The  nest  was  rudely  put 
together,  composed  outwardly  of  sticks,  intermi.xed  with  some  dry  grass, 
and  leaves,  and  lined  with  smaller  twigs.  At  another  time,  in  pa.ssing 
through  the  woods,  I  perceived  something  white,  on  the  high  shaded 
branch  of  a  tree,  close  to  the  trunk,  that,  as  I  thought,  looked  like  a 
cat  asleep.  Unable  to  satisfy  myself,  I  was  induced  to  fire,  when,  to 
my  tmrprise  and  regret,  four  young  Owls,  of  this  same  species,  nearly 
full  grown,  came  down  headlong,  and  fluttering  for  a  few  moments,  died 
at  my  feet.  Their  nest  was  probably  not  far  distant.  I  have  also  seen 
the  eggs  of  this  species,  which  are  nearly  as  large  as  those  of  a  young 
pullet,  but  much  more  globular,  and  j)erfectly  white. 

These  birds  sometimes  seize  on  fowls,  partridges,  and  young  rabbits  ; 
mice,  and  small  game,  are,  however,  their  most  usual  food.  The  dift'er- 
ence  of  size  between  the  male  and  female  of  this  Owl  is  extraordinary, 
amounting,  sometimes,  to  nearly  eight  inches  in  the  length.  Both 
scream  during  the  day  like  a  Hawk. 

The  male  Barred  Owl  measures  sixteen  inches  and  a  half  in  length, 
and  thirty-eight  inches  in  extent ;  upper  parts  a  pale  brown,  marked 
with  transverse  spots  of  white ;  wings  barre<l  with  alternate  bands  of 
pale  brown  and  darker  ;  head  smooth,  very  large,  mottled  with  trans- 
verse touches  of  dark  brown,  pale  brown  and  white ;  eyes  large,  deep 
blue,  the  pupil  not  perceivable;  face,  or  radiated  circle  of  the  eyes, 
gray,  surrounded  by  an  outline  of  brown  and  white  dots ;  bill  yellow, 


*  \V(,'  udd   the  followinfr  synonymON :   Strix  lubuloaa.  Lath.  Iitd.  Orn.  p.  58.- 
Ohel   Syst.  I.,  p.  291. — Temm.  Man.  d'Orn.  i.,  p.  88. 

m 


BARRED    OWL. 


87 


tinged  with  green  ;  breast  barred  transversely  with  rows  of  brown  and 
white ;  belly  streaked  longitudinally  with  long  stripes  of  brown,  on  a 
yellowish  ground ;  vent  plain  yellowish  white ;  thighs  and  feathered  legs 
the  same,  slightly  pointed  with  brown ;  toes  nearly  covered  with  plu- 
mage ;  claws  dark  horn  color,  very  sharp ;  tail  rounded,  and  remarkably 
concave  below,  barred  with  six  broad  bars  (<f  brown,  and  as  many  nar- 
row ones  of  white;  the  back  and  shoulders  have  a  cast  of  chestnut;  at 
each  internal  "angle  of  the  eye  is  a  broad  spot  of  black;  the  plumage 
of  the  radiated  circle  round  the  eye  ends  in  long  black  hairs ;  and  the 
bill  is  encompassed  by  others  of  a  longer  and  more  bristly  kind.  These, 
probably,  serve  to  guard  the  eye  when  any  danger  approaches  it,  in 
sweeping  hastily  through  the  woods ;  and  those  usually  found  on  Fly- 
catchers, may  have  the  same  intention  to  fulfil ;  for  on  the  slightest 
touch  of  the  point  of  any  of  these  hairs,  the  nictitating  membrane  was 
instantly  thrown  over  the  eye. 

The  female  is  twenty-two  inches  long,  and  four  feet  in  extent ;  the 
chief  difference  of  color  consists  in  her  wings  being  broadly  spotted  with 
white ;  the  shoulder  being  a  plain  chocolate  brown ;  the  tail  extends 
considerably  beyond  the  tips  of  the  wings ;  the  bill  is  much  larger,  and 
of  a  more  golden  yellow ;  iris  of  the  eye  the  same  as  that  of  the  male. 

The  different  character  of  the  feathers  of  this,  and  I  believe  of  most 
Owls,  is  really  surprising.  Those  that  surround  the  bill,  differ  little 
from  bristles ;  those  that  surround  the  region  of  the  eyes,  are  exceed- 
ing open,  and  unwebbcd ;  these  are  bounded  by  another  set,  generally 
proceeding  from  the  external  edge  of  the  ear,  of  a  most  peculiar,  small, 
narrow,  velvety  kind,  whose  fibres  are  so  exquisitely  fine,  as  to  be  in- 
visible to  the  naked  eye  ;  above,  the  plumage  has  one  general  character 
at  the  surface,  calculated  to  repel  rain  and  moisture ;  but  towards  the 
roots,  it  is  of  the  most  soft,  loose,  and  downy  substance,  in  nature,  so 
much  so,"  that  it  may  be  touched  without  being  felt ;  the  webs  of  the 
wing  quills  are  also  of  a  delicate  softness,  covered  with  an  almost  im- 
perceptible hair,  and  edged  with  a  loose  silky  down,  so  that  the  owner 
passes  through  the  air  without  interrupting  the  most  profound  silence. 
Who  cannot  perceive  the  hand  of  God  in  all  these  things ! 


m 


i\l 


i. 


SpKCiKs  IV.     STRIX  FLAMMEA. 

WHITE,   OR    BARN    OWL. 

[PUtAl..    Fig.  2.] 

Lath,  i.,  yi9,.—Arct.  Zool.  p.  235,  No.  VIA.— Phil.  Travs.  iii.,  n^.—UEffraie,  ou 
la  Fresaie,  Buff,  i.,  366,  pi.  26,  IM.  enl.  4-10. — Bewick's  British  Birds,  i.,  p.  89. 
—  Common  Owl,  Turt.  Syst.  p.  170. 

This  Owl,  though  so  common  in  Europe,  is  rare  in  this  part  of  the 
United  States ;  and  is  only  found  here  during  very  severe  winters. 
This  may  po.<»sibly  be  owing  to  the  want  of  those  favorite  recesses, 
which  it  so  much  affects  in  the  eastern  continent.  The  multitudes  of 
old  ruined  castles,  towers,  monasteries  and  cathedrals,  that  everywhere 
rise  to  view  in  those  countries,  are  the  chosen  haunts  of  this  well  known 
species.  Its  savage  cries  at  night  give,  with  vulgar  minds,  a  cast  of 
supernatural  horror  to  those  venerable  mouhlering  piles  of  antiquity. 
This  species,  being  common  to  both  continents,  doubtless  extends  to  the 
arctic  regions.  It  also  inhabits  Tartary,  where,  according  to  Pennant, 
"  the  Mongols  and  nat  .cs  almost  pay  it  divine  honors,  because  they 
attribute  to  tliis  species  the  preservation  of  the  founder  of  their  empire, 
Cinghis  Khan.  That  prince,  with  his  small  army,  happened  to  bo  sur- 
prised and  put  to  flight  by  his  enemies,  and  forced  to  conceal  himself  in 
a  little  coppice:  an  Owl  settled  on  the  bush  under  which  ho  was  hid,  and 
induced  his  pursuers  not  to  search  there,  as  they  thought  it  impossible 
that  any  man  could  be  concealed  in  a  place  where  that  bird  would  perch. 
From  thonceforth  they  held  it  to  be  sacred,  and  every  one  wore  a  plume 
of  the  feathers  of  this  sjjecies  on  his  head.  To  this  day  the  Kalmucs 
continue  the  custom  on  all  great  festivals ;  and  some  tribes  have  an  idol 
in  form  of  an  Owl,  to  which  they  fasten  the  real  I  -gs  of  one."* 

This  species  is  rarely  found  in  Pennsylvania  in  summer.  Of  its  place 
and  manner  of  building  I  am  unable,  from  my  own  observation,  to  speak. 
The  bird  itself  has  been  several  times  found  in  the  hollow  of  a  tree,  and 
was  once  caught  in  a  barn  in  my  neighborhood.  European  writers  in- 
form us,  that  it  makes  no  nest ;  but  deposits  its  eggs  in  the  holes  of 
walls,  and  lays  five  or  si.x  of  a  whitish  color ;  is  said  to  feed  on  mice  and 
small  birds,  which,  like  the  most  of  its  tribe,  it  swallows  whole,  and 
afterwards  emits  the  bones,  feathers,  and  other  indigestible  parts,  at  its 


»  Arct.  Zool.  p.  23.5. 


(88) 


,H-(  j 

i'tsi 


m 


WHITE,   OR    BARN   OWL.  M 

mouth,  in  tho  form  of  amall  round  cakes,  which  are  often  found  in  the 
empty  buildings  it  frequents.  During  its  repose  it  is  said  to  make  a 
blowing  noise,  resembling  tho  snoring  of  a  man.* 

It  is  distinguished  in  England  by  various  names,  the  Barn  Owl,  the 
Church  Owl,  Gillihowlet  and  Screech  Owl.  In  the  lowlands  of  Scot- 
land it  is  universally  called  tho  Iloolet. 

The  White  or  Barn  Owl  is  fourteen  inches  long,  and  upwards  of  three 
feet  six  inches  in  extent ;  bill  a  whitish  horn  color,  longer  than  is  usual 
among  its  tribe ;  space  surrounding  each  eye  remarkably  concave,  the 
radiating  feathers  meeting  in  a  high  projecting  ridge,  arching  from  the 
bill  upwards ;  between  these  lies  a  thick  tuft  of  bright  tawny  feathers, 
that  are  scarcely  seen  unless  the  ridges  be  separated ;  face  white,  sur- 
rounded by  a  border  of  narrow,  thickset,  velvety  feathers,  of  a  reddish 
cream  color  at  the  tip,  pure  silvery  white  below,  and  finely  shafted  with 
black  ;  whole  upper  parts  a  bright  tawny  yellow,  thickly  sprinkled 
with  whitish  and  pale  purple,  and  beautifully  interspersed  with  larger 
drops  of  white,  each  feather  of  the  back  and  wing-coverts  ending  in  an 
oblong  spot  of  white,  bounded  by  black  ;  head  large,  tumid  ;  sides  of  the 
neck  pale  yellow  ochre,  thinly  sprinkled  with  small  touches  of  dusky ; 
primaries  and  secondaries  the  same,  thinly  barred  and  thickly  sprinkled 
with  dull  purplish  brown ;  tail  two  inches  shorter  than  the  tips  of  the 
wings,  even,  or  very  slightly  forked,  pale  yellowish,  crossed  with  five 
bars  of  brown,  and  thickly  dotted  with  the  same  ;  whole  lower  parts  pure 
white,  thinly  interspersed  with  small  round  spots  of  blackish  ;  thighs  the 
same,  logs  long,  thinly  covered  with  short  white  down,  nearly  to  the  feet, 
which  are  of  a  dirty  white,  and  thickly  warted ;  toes  thinly  clad  with 
white  hairs ;  logs  and  feet  large  and  clumsy.  The  ridge  or  shoulder  of 
the  wing  is  tinged  with  bright  orange  brown.  The  aged  bird  is  more 
white ;  in  some,  the  spots  of  black  on  the  breast  are  wanting,  and  the 
color  below  a  pale  yellow ;  in  others  a  pure  white. 

The  female  measures  fifteen  inches  and  a  half  in  length,  and  three 
feet  eight  inches  in  extent ;  is  much  darker  above ;  the  lower  parts 
tinged  with  tawny,  and  marked  also  with  round  spots  of  black.  One  of 
these  wius  lately  sent  me,  which  was  shot  on  the  border  of  the  meadows 
below  TMiiladelphia.  Its  stomach  contained  the  mangled  carcasses  of 
rniiv  huge  meadi.w  mice,  hair,  bones  and  all.  The  common  practice  of 
most  Owls  is,  after  breaking  the  bones,  to  swallow  the  mouse  entire ;  the 
bones,  hair,  and  other  indigestible  parts,  are  afterwards  discharged  from 
the  mouth,  in  large  roundish  d-y  balls,  that  arc  frequently  met  with  in 
such  places  as  these  birds  usually  haunt. 

As  the  Meadow-mouse  is  so  eagerly  sought  after  by  those  birds,  and 
also  by  great  numbers  of  Hawks,  which  regularly,  at  the  commencement 

•  Bewick,  i.,  p.  90. 


"V. 


m 


i 

If 

ill 

90 


WHITE,    on    BARN    OWL. 


of  winter,  resort  to  the  mi-u  'ow»  below  Philailolpliiu,  and  to  tho  uiarshoa 
along  the  seashore,  for  tho  purpose  of  feeding  on  theso  littlo  animals, 
some  aecount  of  them  mny  not  bo  improper  in  this  place.  Fig.  3  repre- 
sents tho  Meadow-niouBc  drawn  by  the  same  seale,  viz.  r-jduced  to  one- 
half  ibi  natural  dimensions.  This  species  appears  not  to  have  been  taken 
notice  of  by  Turton,  in  his  translation  of  Gmelin's  Linnueus.  From  tho 
nose  to  the  inse  Mon  of  tho  tail  it  measures  four  inches ;  the  tail  ia  be- 
tween three-quarters  and  an  inch  long,  hairy,  and  usually  curves  up- 
wards ;  the  fore  feet  are  short,  five-toed,  the  inner  to<)  very  short,  but 
furnished  with  a  claw ;  hind  feet  also  five-toed ;  the  ears  nro  shorter 
than  the  fur,  through  which,  though  large,  they  are  scarcely  noticeable ; 
the  nose  is  blunt  ;  the  color  of  the  back  is  dark  brown,  that  of  the  belly 
hoary  ;  the  fur  is  long  and  extremely  fine;  the  hind  feet  are  placed  very 
far  back,  and  are  also  short ;  the  eyes  exceeding  small.  This  mischiev- 
ous creature  is  a  great  pest  to  the  meadows,  burrowing  in  them  in  every 
direction  ;  but  is  particularly  injurious  to  the  embankments  raised  along 
the  river,  perforating  them  in  numerous  directions,  and  admitting  the 
water,  which  afterwards  increases  to  dangerous  breaches,  inundating  large 
extents  of  these  low  grounds,  and  thus  becoming  the  instruments  of  their 
own  destruction.  In  their  general  figure  they  bear  great  resemblance 
to  the  common  musk-rat,  and,  like  them,  swim  and  dive  well.  They 
feed  on  the  bulbous  roots  of  plants,  and  also  on  garlic,  of  which  they  are 
remarkably  fond.* 

Another  favorite  prey  of  most  of  our  Owls  is  the  bat,  one  specica  of 
which  is  represented  at  fig.  4,  as  it  hung  during  the  day  in  tho  woods 
where  I  found  it.  This  also  appears  to  be  a  nondescript.  The  length 
of  this  bat,  from  the  nose  to  the  tip  of  the  tail,  is  four  inches;  tho  tail 
itself  is  as  long  as  the  body,  but  generally  curls  up  inwards ;  tho  general 


•  As  Wi'Hor  conjectured,  this  animal  wns  u  nondescript.  It  being  a  Canipaijuol, 
it  miiy  Ik  cliissed  under  tlio  name  of  Aivicala  I'eiiiixi/lranicu.i;  ns  it  is  the  sumo 
uniniiil  wliieli  was  introduced  into  my  entalojjue  of  Mammalia,  under  that  trivial 
denomination.  As  far  as  our  information  extends,  the  female  hrin^s  forth  only  hro 
younj;  at  a  litter.  Her  two  teats  are  inguinal;  and  tho  youn;;,  by  holding  on  to 
thfcU),  are  transported  by  tho  mother  whithersoever  she  goes— that  is,  when  they 
are  inclined  to  accompany  lier;  when  dragged  along,  their  position  is  l)etween  lier 
hind  legs  ;  and  >!lie  can  run  with  them  hanging  to  Jicr,  us  stated,  with  considerable 
swiftness. 

I)r.  Leach,  in  the  Zoological  Miscellany,  vol.  i.,  p.  0(),  flgured  and  described  a 
CumjHiijnol,  which  had  been  received  from  Hudson's  IJay.  This  uninml,  which  was 
Uiimed  A.  iO'itho^iiatha,  has  been  mistaken,  by  some  natur.ilihts,  for  the  present 
species,  which  is  notlialf  its  siic:  the  Fulvous-cheeked  I'ampugnol  measures,  from 
the  tip  of  its  nose  to  the  base  of  its  tail,  at  least  Jihie  inches,  whilst  the  admeasure- 
ment of  ours  is  not  more  than  four  inches.  I)r.  Leach's  descrijition  is  too  iinper- 
fe<;t:  it  lacks  those  details  which  are  essential  in  discriminating  species.  The  size 
of  his  animal  we  infer  from  h'»  figure,  which  ho  says  is  "  rather  less  than  hah  of 
the  natural  size." — G.  Ord. 


LITTLE    OWL. 


n 


color  is  a  bright  iron  gray,  the  fur  being  of  u  rodditih  cream  at  bottom, 
then  Btroiigly  tinged  with  luku,  and  minutely  tipped  with  white ;  the 
cura  are  Hcurcely  half  an  inch  long,  with  two  flight  valves ;  the  noHtrila 
aro  somowhot  tubular;  foro  tooth  in  the  upper  jaw,  none — in  the  lower, 
four,  not  reckoning  the  tUMkn;  tho  eyoH  are  very  HuniU  black  points; 
tho  chin,  u])per  part  of  tho  breast  and  head,  uro  of  a  plain  reddish 
cream  color ;  the  wings  have  a  wingle  hook  or  claw  each,  and  aro  so  con- 
Htructed,  that   tho  aninuil  may  hung  either  with  its  head  or  tail  down- 
ward.    I  have  several  times  found  two  hanging  fu»t  locked  together 
behind  a  leaf,  the  hook  of  one  fixed  in  the  mouth  of  tho  other ;  tho  hind 
feet  are  furniwlicd  with  five  toes,  sharp-clawed ;  tho  membrane  of  tho 
wings  is  dusky,  shafts  light  brown ;  extent  twelve  inches.     In  a  cav( , 
not  far  from  Carlisle  in  Pennsylvania,  I  found  a  number  of  these  bats 
in  the  depth  of  winter,  in  very  severe  weather ;  they  were  lying  on  tho 
projecting  shelves  of  the  rocks,  and  when  the  brand  of  fire  was  held 
near  them,  wrinkled  up  their  mouths,  showing  their  teeth  ;  when  held  in 
the  hand  for  a  short  time,  they  became  active,  and  after  being  carried 
into  a  stovo  room,  flew  about  as  lively  as  ever.* 


Specus  V.     STRLT  PASSElilN^A. 

LITTLE  OWL. 

[Plate  XXXIV.    Fig.  1.] 
Arct.  Zool.  23C,  No.  I'JC— Turton,  Syst.  172.t 

This  is  one  of  the  least  of  its  whole  genus,  but  like  many  other  little 
folks,  makes  up  in  neatness  of  general  form  and  appearance,  for  de- 
ficiency of  size,  nml  is  i)i'rhaps  the  most  shiipely  of  all  our  Owls.  Nor 
arc  tho  colors  and  markings  of  its  plumage  inferior  in  simplicity  and 
effect  to  most  others.  It  also  possesses  an  eye  fully  equal  in  spirit  and 
brilliancy  to  the  best  of  them. 

Til's  species  is  a  general  and  constant  inlia])itant  of  tlie  middle  and 
northern  states ;  but  is  found  most  numerous  in  tho  neighborhood  of  the 
seashore,  and  among  woods  and  swamps  of  pine  trees.  It  raiely 
rambles  much  during  day ;  but  if  disturbed,  flies  a  short  way,  and  again 

*  This  sjieciott  Dr.  Goodninn  i-nlls  tho  Vesperlilio  novtboraceiisis  of  LinnKus.  See 
hiH  Aiiu'rii'iui  Natural  liiHtory,  vol.  i.,  p.  AH.  AVilscn,  it  should  seem,  waa  of  a 
difTeront  upiniun. 

t  \V('  mill  tho  foUowinj?  synonytncH:  Sliix  passerina,  Linn.  Si/st.  ed.  10,  vol.  ■., 
p.  y;').  (iMKi..  Si/nt.  I.,  p.  2'Jt).  No.  12. — S!rix  aaidiensis,  Lath.  Inil.  Orn.  p.  G5, — S, 
acadica,  Gmel.  Syst.  i..  p.  2UC,  No.  43. — Temu.  Man.  d' Orn.  i.,  p.  92. 


:■?( 


92 


LITTLE    OWL. 


takes  .siiclter  from  the  lipht ;  at  the  approach  of  twilight  it  is  all  life 
and  activity ;  being  a  noteii  and  dexterous  mouse-catcher.  It  is  found 
as  far  north  as  Nova  Scotia,  and  oven  Hudson's  Bay ;  is  frequent  in 
Russia ;  builds  its  nest  generally  in  pines,  half  way  up  the  tree,  and 
lays  two  eggs,  which,  like  those  of  the  rest  of  its  genus,  are  white. 
The  melancholy  and  gloomy  umbrage  of  those  solitary  evergreens  forms 
its  favorite  haunts ;  where  it  sits  dozing  and  slumbering  all  day,  lulled 
by  the  roar  of  the  neighboring  ocean. 

The  Little  Owl  is  seven  inches  and  a  half  long,  and  eighteen  inches 
in  extent ;  the  upper  parts  are  a  plain  brown  olive,  the  scapulars,  and 
some  of  the  greater  and  lesser  coverts,  being  spotted  with  white ;  the 
first  five  primaries  are  crossed  obliquely  with  five  bars  of  white;  tail 
rounded,  rather  darker  than  the  body,  crossed  with  two  rows  of  white 
spots,  and  tipped  with  white ;  whole  interior  vanes  of  the  wings  spotted 
with  the  same ;  auriculars  yellowish  brown  ;  crown,  upper  part  of  the 
neck,  and  circle  surrounding  the  ears,  beautifully  marked  witli  numerous 
points  of  white,  on  an  olive  brown  ground ;  front  pure  white,  ending  in 
long  blackish  hairs ;  at  the  internal  angle  of  the  eyes,  a  broad  spot  of 
black,  radiating  outwards ;  iridcs  pale  yellow ;  bill  a  blackish  horn 
color,  lower  parts  streaked  with  yellow  ochre  and  reddish  bay ;  thighs 
and  feathered  legs  pale  bufl";  toes  covered  to  the  claws,  which  are  black, 
large,  and  sharp  pointed. 

The  bird  from  which  the  foregoing  figure  and  description  were  taken, 
was  shot  on  the  seashore,  near  Great  Egg  Harbor,  in  New  Jersey,  in 
the  month  of  Novonilx'r ;  and  on  dissection  was  found  to  be  a  female. 
Turton  describes  a  species  called  ^he  Wiiitc-fronted  Owl  (<S'.  albifrons), 
which  in  every  thing,  except  in  size,  agrees  with  this  bird,  and  has  very 
probably  been  taken  from  a  young  male ;  which  is  sometimes  found 
considerably  less  than  the  female. 


m 


{'■ 


Species  VI.     STRIX  BRACHYOTOS. 

SHORT-EARED  OWL. 

[Plate  XXXIII.    Fig.  3.]  , 

TuRTON,  Syst.  p.  \<j7.—Arct.  Zool.  p.  229,  No.  116.— Lath,  i.,  124.— Xa  ChouetiS, 
ou  la  grand  ChevSche,  Buff,  i.,  PL  enl.  438.* 

This  is  another  .species  common  to  both  continents,  being  found  in 
Britain  as  far  north  as  tlie  Orkney  isles,  where  it  also  breeds ;  building 
its  nest  upon  the  ground,  amidst  the  heath ;  arrives  and  disappears  in 
the  south  parts  of  England  with  the  Woodcock,  that  is  in  October  and 
April ;  consequently  does  not  breed  there.  It  is  called  at  Hudson's 
Bay  the  Mouse  I  lawk  ;  and  is  described  as  not  flying  like  other  Owls  in 
search  of  prey ;  but  sitting  quiet  on  a  stump  of  a  tree,  watching  for 
mice.  It  is  said  to  be  found  in  plenty  in  the  woods  near  Chatteau  bay, 
on  the  coast  of  Labrador.  In  the  United  States  it  is  also  a  bird  of 
passage,  coming  to  us  from  the  north  in  November,  and  departing  in 
April.  The  bird  represented  in  the  plate  was  shot  in  New  Jersey,  a 
few  miles  below  Philadelphia,  in  a  thicket  of  pines.  It  has  the  stern 
aspect  of  a  keen,  vigorous,  and  active  bird ;  and  is  reputed  to  be  an 
oxocllent  mouser.  It  flies  frequently  by  day,  particularly  in  dark  clou<ly 
weather,  takes  short  flights,  and,  when  sitting  and  looking  sharply 
around,  erects  the  two  slight  feathers  that  constitute  its  horns,  which 
arc  at  such  times  very  noticeable ;  but  otherwise  not  perceivable.  No 
person,  on  slightly  examining  this  bird  after  being  shot,  would  suspect 
it  to  be  furnished  with  horns ;  nor  are  they  discovered  but  by  careful 
search,  or  previous  observation  on  tho  living  bird.  Bewick,  in  his  His- 
tory of  British  Birds,  remarks,  that  this  species  is  sometimes  seen  in 
companies ;  twenty-eight  of  tlum  iieing  once  counted  in  a  turnip  field 
in  November. 

Length  fifteen  inches,  extent  three  feet  four  inches ;  general  color 
above  dark  brown,  the  A'athei-s  broadly  skirted  with  pale  yellowish 
brown  ;  bill  large,  black  ;  irides  ricli  golden  yellow,  placed  in  a  bed  of 
deep  black,  which  'adiates  outwards  all  around,  except  towanls  the  bill, 
where  the  plumago  is  whitish  ;  ears  lH)rdered  with  a  semicircular  line  of 
black  and  tawtiy  yellow  dots ;  tail  rouniled,  longer  than  usual  with 
Owls,  crossed  with  five  bands  of  dark  brown,  and  as  many  of  yellow 

*  Wo  add  the  followinj;  synonyincs:  Slrix  brachyotos,  Latd.  Ind.  Om.  p.  55. — 
Strix  Lfluta,  Linn.  *y»<.  cJ.  10,  p.  93.  -Temm.  J/ti/i.  d' Om.  i.,  p.  99. 

(93) 


.>;   % 


94 


GREAT    HORNED    OWL. 


ii^' 


ochre,  some  of  the  latter  have  central  spots  of  dark  brown,  the  whole 
tipped  with  white;  quills  also  banded  with  dark  brown  and  yellow 
ochre ;  breast  and  belly  streaked  witli  dark  brown,  on  a  ground  of  yel- 
lowish ;  legs,  thighs  and  vent,  plain  dull  yellow ;  tips  of  the  three  first 
quill  featlicrs  black ;  legs  clothed  to  tlie  claws,  which  are  black,  curved 
to  about  the  quarter  of  a  circle,  and  exceedingly  sharp. 

The  female  I  have  never  seen  ;  but  she  is  said  to  bo  somewhat  larger 
and  much  darker ;  and  the  spots  on  the  breast  larger  and  more 
numerous. 


It'    I 


SpEriES  VIII.     STRLY  VIRGIKIANA. 

GREAT  HORNED  OWL. 

[Plate  L.    Fig.  1.] 
Avct.  Zool.  p.  228,  No.  114.— Edw.  r.O.-LATii.  i.,  119.— Ti'rt.  Si/st.  p.  16G.* 

TiiK  figure  of  this  bird,  as  well  as  of  tho.'^p  represented  in  the  same 
plate,  is  reduced  to  one-half  its  natural  dimensions.  By  the  same  scale, 
the  greater  part  of  the  Hawks  and  Owls  of  the  present  volumof  are 
drawn ;  their  real  magnitude  rendering  this  unavoidable. 

This  noted  and  formidable  Owl  is  fouml  in  almost  every  quarter  of 
the  United  States.  His  favorite  residence,  liowever,  is  in  the  dark 
solitudes  of  deep  swamps,  covered  with  a  growth  of  gigantic  timber ; 
and  here,  as  soon  as  evening  draws  on,  and  mankind  retire  to  rest,  he 
sends  forth  such  sounds,  as  seem  scarcely  to  belong  to  this  world,  start- 
ling the  solitary  pilgrim  as  he  slumbers  by  liis  forest  fire, 

"Makinft  night  IiIiIoohh." 

Along  the  monntainons  shores  of  the  Ohio,  and  amidst  the  deep  forests 
of  Indiana,  alone,  and  reposing  iti  the  woods,  this  ghostly  watchman 
frequently  warned  me  of  the  a|>priiacli  of  innrniiig,  and  amused  rue  with 
his  singular  e.xclamations  ;  sometimes  sweei)iiig  down  ami  around  my 
fire,  uttering  a  loml  and  sudden  Wiiuqh  O !  Waugh  0 !  sufiicient  to 
have  alarmed  a  whole  garrison.  He  lias  (»ther  nocturnal  solos,  no  K-ss 
melodious,  one  of  wliieh  very  strikingly  resi-inliles  the  half-siippressed 
screams  of  a  persoji  sufTocating,  or  tlirottleil,  and  cannot  fail  of  being 

•  We  ftiltl  iho  following;  cynonymeM  :  Ililmn  dts  Terret  MiiijfUnniiftKS,  Burr.  PI. 
/-,'«/.  ."is.").  —  litilio  Viniinianux,  Uriss.  i.  p.  •Is4. — SIrix  Virijininua,  Iml.  Oni.fJvl. — 
(iMBt.,  f^ynt   I.,  p.  2S7. —  Viri/inidii  F.nrtd  (hrl,  L.\tii.  Gen.  Syn.  Siipl.  vi.,  p.  40. 

f  Volume  VI.  of  the  originiil  pdition. 


n 


GREAT    HORNED   OWL. 


95 


exceedingly  entertaining  to  a  lonely,  benighted  traveller,  in  the  midst 
of  an  Indian  wilderness. 

This  species  inhabits  the  country  round  Hudson's  Bay ;  and,  accord- 
ing to  Pennant,  who  considers  it  a  mere  variety  of  the  Eagle  Owl  {Strix 
bubo)  of  Europe,  is  found  in  Kamtschatka ;  extends  even  to  the  Arctic 
regions,  where  it  is  often  found  white ;  and  occurs  as  low  as  Astrakan 
It  has  also  been  seen  white  in  the  United  States ;  but  this  has  doubtless 
been  owing  to  disease  or  natural  defect,  and  not  to  climate.  It  preys 
on  young  rabbits,  squirrels,  rats,  mice,  partridges,  and  small  birds  of 
various  kinds.  It  has  been  often  known  to  prowl  about  the  farm-house, 
and  carry  off  chickens  from  the  roost.  A  very  large  one,  wing-broken 
while  on  a  foraging  excursion  of  this  kind,  was  kept  about  a  house  for 
several  days,  and  at  length  disappeared,  no  one  knew  how.  Almost 
every  day  after  this,  hens  and  chickens  also  disappeared,  one  by  one,  in 
an  unaccountable  manner,  till  in  eight  or  ten  days  very  few  were  left 
remaining.  The  fox,  the  minx  and  weasel,  were  alternately  the  reputed 
authors  of  this  mischief,  until  one  morning,  an  old  lady,  rising  before 
day  to  bake,  in  passing  towards  the  oven,  surprised  her  late  prisoner  the 
Owl,  regaling  himself  on  the  body  of  a  newly  killed  hen.  The  thief  in- 
stantly made  for  his  hole  under  the  house,  whence  the  enraged  matron 
soon  dislodged  him  with  the  brush-handle,  and  without  mercy  despatched 
him.  In  this  snug  retreat  were  found  the  greater  part  of  the  feathers, 
and  many  large  fragments,  of  her  whole  family  of  chickens. 

There  is  something  in  the  character  of  the  Owl  so  recluse,  solitary 
and  mysterious,  something  so  discordant  in  the  tones  of  its  voice,  heard 
only  amid  the  silence  and  gloom  of  night,  and  in  the  most  lonely  and 
sequestered  situations,  as  to  have  strongly  inipressed  the  minds  of  man- 
kind in  general  with  sensations  of  awe,  and  abliorronee  of  the  whole 
tribe.  The  poets  have  indulged  freely  in  this  general  prejudice  ;  and  in 
their  descriptions  and  delineations  of  midnight  storms,  and  gloomy  scenes 
of  nature,  the  Owl  is  generally  introduced  to  heighten  the  horror  of  the 
pieture.  Ignorance  and  superstition,  in  all  ages,  anil  in  all  countries, 
listen  to  the  voice  of  the  Owl,  and  even  conteni])late  its  physiognomy 
with  feelings  of  disgust,  and  a  kind  of  fearful  awe.  The  priests,  or  con- 
jurers, among  some  of  our  Indian  nations,  have  taken  advantage  of  the 
reverential  horror  fur  this  binl,  and  have  adopted  the  Great  Iforned 
Owl,  the  subject  of  the  present  account,  as  the  syinbid  or  emblem  of 
their  oflTiee.  "  Among  the  Creeks,"  says  Mr.  Bartram,  "  the  junior 
priests,  or  students,  constantly  wear  a  white  mantle,  and  have  a  Great 
Owl  skin  eased  and  stuffed  very  ingeniou.>>Iy.  so  well  executed  as  almost 
to  appear  like  the  living  bird,  having  large  sparkling  glass  beads, 
or  buttons,  fixed  in  the  head  for  eyes.  This  insignia  of  wisdom  and 
divination  they  wear  sometimes  as  a  crest  on  the  top  of  the  head ;  at 
other  times  the  image  sits  on  the  arm,  or  is  borne  on  the  hand.     These 


! 


96 


GREAT    HORNED    OWL. 


to 


i'-  . 


'I  ! 


fj 


I  IV 


bachelors  are  also  distinguished  from  the  other  people  by  their  taci 
turnity,  grave  and  solemn  countenance,  dignified  step,  and  singing  to 
themselves  songs  or  hymns  in  a  low,  sweet  voice,  as  they  stroll  about 
the  town."* 

Nothing  is  a  more  effectual  cure  for  superstition  than  a  knowledge 
of  the  general  laws  and  productions  of  nature ;  nor  more  forcibly  leads 
our  reflections  to  the  first,  great,  self-existent  cause  of  all,  to  whom 
our  reverential  awe  is  then  humbly  devoted,  and  not  to  any  of  his 
dependent  creatui'es.  With  all  the  gloomy  habits,  and  ungracious  tones, 
of  the  Owl,  there  is  nothing  in  this  bird  supernatural  or  mysterious,  or 
more  than  that  of  a  simple  bird  of  prey,  formed  for  feeding  by  night,  like 
many  other  animals,  and  of  reposing  by  day.  The  harshness  of  its 
voice,  occasioned  by  the  width  and  capacity  of  its  throat,  may  be  intended 
by  heaven  as  an  alarm  and  warning  to  the  birds  and  animals  on 
which  it  preys,  to  secure  themselvci  from  danger.  The  voices  of  all 
carnivorous  birds  and  animals  are  also  observed  to  be  harsh  and  hideous, 
probably  for  this  very  purpose. 

The  Great  Horned  Owl  is  not  migratory,  but  remains  with  us  the 
whole  year.  During  the  day  lie  slumbers  in  the  thick  evergreens  of 
deep  swamps,  or  seeks  shelter  in  large  hollow  trees.  He  is  very  rarely 
seen  abroad  by  day,  and  never  but  when  disturbed.  In  the  month 
of  May  tliov  usually  begin  to  build.  The  nest  is  generally  placed  in 
the  fork  of  a  tall  tree,  and  is  constructed  of  sticks,  piled  in  considerable 
quantities,  lined  with  dry  leaves,  and  a  few  feathers.  Sometimes  tliey 
choose  a  hollow  tree,  and  in  that  case  carry  in  but  few  materials.  The 
female  lays  four  eggs,  nearly  as  large  as  those  of  a  hen,  almost  globular, 
and  of  a  pure  wiiitc.  In  one  of  these  nests,  after  the  young  had  flown, 
were  found  the  heads  and  bones  of  two  chickens,  the  legs  and  head  of 
the  Golden-winged  Woodpecker,  and  part  of  the  wings  and  feathers  of 
several  other  birds.  It  is  generally  conjectured  tiiat  they  hatch  but 
once  in  the  season. 

The  length  of  the  male  of  this  species  is  twenty  inches ;  the  bill  is 
large,  black  and  strong,  covered  at  the  biw^e  with  a  cere ;  the  eyes 
golden  yellow  ;  the  horns  are  three  inches  in  length,  and  very  broad, 
consisting  of  twelve  or  fourteen  feathers,  tlieir  webs  black,  broadly  edged 
with  brigiit  tawny  ;  face  rusty,  boundeil  on  each  side  by  a  l)and  of  black  ; 
space  between  the  eyes  and  bill  whitish;  whole  lower  parts  elegantlv 
marketl  with  numerous  transverse  bars  of  dusky,  r)n  a  bright  tawnv 
ground,  thinly  interspersed  with  white;  vent  pale  yellow  ochre,  barred 
with  narrow  lines  of  brown ;  legs  and  feet  large  and  covered  with 
feathers,  or  hairy  down,  of  a  pale  brown  color ;  claws  very  large,  blue 
black  ;  tail  rounded,  extending  about  an  inch  beyond  the  tips  of  the 


•  Travels,  p.  504. 


LONG-EARED    OWL. 


97 


wings,  crossed  with  six  or  seven  narrow  bars  of  brown,  and  variegated 
or  marbled  with  brown  and  tawny ;  whole  upper  parts  finely  pencilled 
with  dusky,  on  a  tawny  and  whitish  ground ;  chin  pure  white,  under 
that  a  band  of  brown,  succeeded  by  another  narrow  one  of  white ;  eyes 
very  large. 

The  female  is  full  two  feet  in  length,  and  has  not  the  white  on  the 
throat  so  pure.  She  has  also  less  of  the  bright  ferruginous  or  tawny 
tint  below ;  but  is  principally  distinguished  by  her  superior  magnitude. 


Si-EciBS  VIII.    STRLY  OrUS. 

LONG-EARED   OWL. 

[Flats  LI.    Fig.  3,  Female.] 
Omil.  Sysl.  I.,  p.  288.— Brwick,  i.,  p.  84.* 

This  Owl  is  common  to  both  continents,  and  is  much  more  numerous 
in  Pennsylvania  than  the  White,  or  Barn  Owl :  six  or  seven  were  found 
in  a  single  tree,  about  fifteen  miles  from  this  city.  There  is  little  doubt 
but  this  species  is  found  inhabiting  America  to  a  high  latitude ;  though 
wc  have  no  certain  accounts  of  the  fact.  Except  in  size,  this  species 
has  more  resemblance  to  the  Great  Horned  Owl  tlian  any  other  of  its 
tribe.  It  resembles  it  also  in  breeding  among  the  branches  of  tall 
trees ;  lays  four  eggs  of  noiirly  a  round  form,  and  pure  white. f  The 
young  are  grayi.sh  white  until  nearly  full  grown,  and  roost  during  the 
day  close  together  on  a  limb,  among  the  tliickcst  of  the  foliage.  This 
Owl  is  frequently  seen  abroad  during  the  day,  but  is  not  remarkable  for 
its  voice  or  habits. 

The  Long-eared  Owl  is  fourteen  inelios  and  a  half  long,  and  three 
feet  two  inches  in  extent ;  ears  large,  coiiipd.Hod  of  six  feathers,  gradu- 
ally lengthening  from  the  front  one  backwards,  black,  edged  with  rusty 
yellow ;  iridcs  vivid  yellow ;  inside  of  the  circle  of  the  face  white, 
out.«ide  or  cheeks  rusty  ;  at  the  internal  angle  of  the  eye  a  streak  of 
Mack;  bill  Mackish  horn  color;  forehead  anil  crown  deep  brown, 
.ipeckled  v.  i  minute  points  of  wliite  and  pale  rusty ;  outside  circle  of 
t lie  face  black,  finely  marked  with  small  curving  spots  of  white;  back 
mill  wing.-*  dark  1  i-own,  sprinkled  and  spotted  witli  white,  pale  ferru- 
ginous and  dusky  ;  primaries  barred  with  brownish  yellow  and  dusky, 


•  Wf>  iulil  tlic  following;  syiionymes;  f^/rix  nlii»,  Linn.  i^i/,v/  i.,  p.  02,  No.  4,  ed. 
10.— Ml  KK.  /'/.  K„l.  2'.).— Lath.  (int.  Syn.  i.,  ]..  121,  Iml.  Orn.  p.  .')5. 

t  lluffcin  romarkH,  that  it  rarely  conMtriictM  ii  noHt  of  its  own;  but  not  unfro- 
qucntly  ocoiipios  that  of  others,  particularly  the  Mu^pio. 

Vol  I.— 7 


.1=' 


I  I 


01 


LONO-EARED    OWL. 


darkening  towards  the  tips;  secondaries  more  finely  barred,  and 
powdered  with  white  and  dusky ;  tail  rounded  at  the  end,  of  the  same 
length  with  the  wings,  beautifully  barred  and  marbled  with  dull  white 
and  pale  rusty,  on  a  dark  brown  ground ;  throat  and  breast  clouded 
with  rusty,  cream,  black  and  white;  belly  beautifully  streaked  with 
large  arrow-heads  of  black ;  legs  and  thighs  plain  pale  rusty,  feathered 
to  the  claws,  which  are  blue  black,  large  and  sharp ;  inside  of  the  wing 
brownish  yellow,  with  a  large  spot  of  black  at  the  root  of  the  primaries. 
This  was  a  female.  Of  the  male  I  cannot  speak  precisely ;  though 
from  the  numbers  of  these  birds  which  I  have  examined  in  the  Autumn, 
when  it  is  difficult  to  ascertain  their  sex,  I  conjecture  that  they  differ 
very  little  in  color. 

About  six  or  seven  miles  below  Philadelphia,  and  not  far  from  the 
Delaware,  is  a  low  swamp,*  thickly  covered  with  trees,  and  inundated 
during  great  part  of  the  year.  This  place  is  the  resort  of  great 
numbers  of  the  Qua-bird,  or  Night  Raven  (Ardea  nycticorax),  where 
they  build  in  large  companies.  On  the  twenty-fifth  of  April,  while 
wading  among  the  dark  recesses  of  this  forest,  observing  the  habits  of 
these  birds,  I  discovered  a  Long-eared  Owl,  which  had  taken  po  ession 
of  one  of  their  nests,  and  was  sitting ;  on  mounting  to  the  nest,  I  found 
it  contained  four  eggs,  and  breaking  one  of  these,  the  young  appeared 
almost  ready  to  leave  the  shell.  There  were  numbers  of  the  Qua-birds' 
nests  on  the  adjoining  trees  all  around,  and  one  of  them  actually  on 
the  same  tree.  Thus  we  see  how  unvarying  are  the  manners  of  this 
species,  however  remote  and  different  the  countries  may  be  where  it  has 
taken  up  its  residence. 

*  Commonly  known  by  the  name  of  Cocker'a  swamp,  from  time  immemorial  • 
noted  pi  ice  for  the  shooting  of  Woodcocks. 


mt 


%^^  A 


Spicibs  IX.     STRIX  NJEVIA* 

MOTTLED  OWL. 

[Plata  XIX.    Fig.  1,  remale.] 
Arct.  Zool.  231,  No.  118.— Latham,  i.,  126.— Tcrton,  i.,  167. 

On  contemplating  the  grave  and  antiquated  figure  of  this  night 
wanderer,  so  destitute  of  everything  like  gracefulness  of  shape,  I  can 
scarcely  refrain  from  smiling  at  the  conceit,  of  the  ludicrous  appear- 
ance this  bird  must  have  made,  had  nature  bestowed  on  it  the  powers 
of  song,  and  given  it  the  faculty  of  warbling  out  sprightly  airs,  while 
robed  in  such  a  solemn  exterior.  But  the  great  God  of  Nature  hath, 
in  his  wisdom,  assigned  to  this  class  of  birds  a  more  unsocial,  and  less 
noble,  though,  perhaps,  not  less  useful,  disposition  by  assimilating  them, 
not  only  in  form  of  countenance,  but  in  voice,  manners,  and  appetite, 
to  some  particular  beasts  of  prey ;  secluding  them  from  the  enjoyment, 
of  the  gay  sunshine  of  day,  and  giving  them  little  more  than  the  few 
solitary  hours  of  morning  and  evening  twilight,  to  procure  their  food, 
and  pursue  their  amours ;  while  all  the  tuneful  tribes,  a  few  excepted, 
are  wrapped  in  silence  and  repose.  That  their  true  character,  however, 
should  not  be  concealed  from  those  weaker  animals  on  whom  they  foed 
(for  Heaven  abhors  deceit  and  hypocrisy),  He  has  stamped  their  coun- 
tenance with  strong  traits  of  their  murderer  the  Cat ;  and  birds  in  this 
respect  are,  perhaps,  better  physiognomists  than  men. 

The  Owl  now  before  us  is  chiefly  a  native  of  the  northern  regions, 
arriving  here,  with  several  others,  about  the  commencement  of  cold 
weather ;  frequenting  the  uplands  and  mountainous  districts,  in  prefer- 
ence to  the  lower  parts  of  the  country ;  and  feeding  on  mice,  small 
birds,  beetles,  and  crickets.  It  is  rather  a  scarce  species  in  Pennsyl- 
vania ;  flies  usually  in  the  early  part  of  night  and  morning ;  and  is 
sometimes  observed  sitting  on  the  fences  during  day,  when  it  is  easily 
caught ;  its  vision  at  that  time  being  very  imperfect. 

The  bird  represented  in  the  plate  was  taken  in  this  situation,  and  pre- 
sented to  me  by  a  friend.  I  kept  it  in  the  room  beside  me  for  some 
time ;  during  which  its  usual  position  was  such  as  I  have  given  it.  Its 
eyelids  were  either  half  shut,  or  slowly  and  alternately  opening  and 


*  Strix  atio.  This  ia  the  adult  of  the  following  Bpecies,  and  the  name  asio  given 
to  the  young,  inu«t  be  retained  for  the  Hpecies,  tu  the  young  was  first  described. 
See  Linn.  Sytt.  i.,  p.  92,  No.  3,  ed.  10. 

(99) 


100 


MOTTLED    OWL. 


i  Mmn  ■■ 


shutting,  as  if  suffering  from  the  glare  of  day ;  but  no  sooner  was  the 
sun  set,  than  its  whole  appearance  became  lively  and  animated ;  its  full 
and  globular  eyes  shone  like  those  of  a  cat ;  and  it  often  lowered  ita 
head,  in  the  manner  of  a  cock  when  preparing  to  fight,  moving  it  from 
side  to  side,  and  also  vertically,  as  if  reconnoitring  you  with  great 
sharpness.  In  flying  through  the  room,  it  shifted  from  place  to  place 
with  the  silence  of  a  spirit,  (if  I  may  be  allowed  the  expression),  the 
plumage  of  its  wings  being  so  extremely  fine  and  soft  as  to  occasion 
little  or  no  friction  with  the  air ;  a  wise  provision  of  nature,  bestowed 
on  the  whole  genus,  to  enable  them,  without  giving  alarm,  to  seize  their 
prey  in  the  night.  For  an  hour  or  two  in  the  evening,  and  about  break 
of  day,  it  flew  about  with  great  activity.  When  angry,  it  snapped  its 
bill  repeatedly  with  violence,  and  so  loud  as  to  be  heard  in  the  adjoiiii.ig 
room,  swelling  out  its  eyes  to  their  full  dimensions,  and  lowering  its  head 
us  before  described.  It  swallowed  its  food  hastily,  in  large  mouthfuls ; 
and  never  was  observed  to  drink.  Of  the  eggs  and  nest  of  this  species 
I  am  unable  to  speak. 

The  Mottled  Owl  is  ten  inches  long,  and  twenty-two  in  extent ;  the 
unper  part  of  the  head,  the  back,  ears  and  lesser  wing-coverts,  are  dark 
bi'own,  streaked  and  variegated  with  black,  pale  brown,  and  ash  ;  wings 
lighter,  the  greater  coverts  juid  primaries  spotted  with  white  ;  tail  short, 
even,  and  mottled  with  black,  pale  brown,  and  whitish,  on  a  dark  brown 
ground ;  its  lower  side  gray ;  horns  (as  they  are  usually  called)  very 
prominent,  each  com  i.sed  of  ten  feathers;  increasing  in  length  from 
the  front  ))ackwarda,  and  lightest  on  the  inside ;  face  whitish,  marked 
with  small  touches  of  dusky,  and  bounded  on  each  side  with  a  circlet  of 
black  ;  breast  and  belly  white,  beautifully  variegated  with  ragged  streaks 
of  black,  and  small  transverse  touches  of  brown  ;  legs  featheretl  nearly 
to  the  claws,  wilh  a  kind  of  hairy  flown,  of  a  pale  brown  color;  vent 
and  under  tail-eoverts  white,  the  latter  slightly  marked  with  brown  ; 
iris  of  the  eye  a  brilliant  golden  yellow  ;  bill  and  claws  bluish  horn 
color. 

This  was  a  female.  The  male  is  consideral)Iy  less  in  size;  the  gene- 
ral colors  darker;  and  the  white  on  the  wing-coverts  not  so  observable. 

Hollow  trees,  cither  in  the  woods  or  orchard,  or  close  evergreens,  in 
retired  situations,  arc  the  usual  roosting  places  of  this  anil  most  of  our 
other  species.  These  retnats,  however,  are  frequently  discovered  hy 
tlic  Nuthatch,  Titmouse,  or  Blue  Jay,  who  instantly  raise  the  alarm  ;  a 
promiscuous  group  of  feathered  neighbors  soon  collect  round  the  spot, 
like  crowds  in  the  streets  of  a  large  city,  when  a  thief  or  murderer  is 
detected ;  and  by  their  insults  and  vociferation  oblige  the  recluse  to 
seek  for  another  lodging  elsewhere.  This  may  account  for  the  circum- 
stance of  sometimes  finding  them  abroad  during  the  day,  on  fences  and 
other  exposed  situations. 


iift'i,!- 


8TRIX  ASIO* 

RED    OWL. 

[Plate  XLII.    Fig.  1,  Femtle] 

Little  Owl,  Catbsb.  i.,  7.— Lath,  i.,  123.— Linn.  Syst.  132.  Arct.  Zool.  ii.,  No.  117. 

TuRT.  Syst.  I.,  p.  106. 

This  is  another  of  our  nocturnal  wanderers,  well  known  by  its  com- 
mon name,  the  Little  Screech  Owl;  and  noted  for  its  melancholy  qui- 
vering kind  of  wailing  in  the  evenings,  particularly  towards  the  latter 
part  of  summer  and  autumn,  near  the  farm-house.  On  clear  moonlight 
nights,  they  answer  each  other  from  various  parts  of  the  fields  or  orchard  ; 
roost  during  the  day  in  thick  evergreens,  such  as  cedar,  pine,  or  juniper 
trees,  and  arc  rarely  seen  abroad  in  sunshine.  In  May  they  construct 
their  nest  in  the  hollow  of  a  tree,  often  in  the  orchard,  in  an  old  apple 
tree ;  the  nest  is  composed  of  some  hay  and  a  few  feathers ;  the  eggs 
are  four,  pure  wliite  and  nearly  round.  The  young  are  at  first  covered 
with  a  whitish  down. 

The  bird  represented  in  the  plate,  I  kept  for  several  weeks  in  the  room 
beside  me.  It  was  caught  in  a  barn,  where  it  had  taken  up  its  lodging, 
probably  for  the  greater  convenience  of  mousing  ;  and  being  unhurt,  I 
had  an  opportunity  of  remarking  its  manners.  At  first  it  struck  itself 
so  forcibly  against  the  window,  as  frequently  to  deprive  it,  seemingly, 
of  all  sensation  for  several  minutes ;  this  was  done  so  repeatedly,  that  I 
began  to  fear  that  either  the  glass,  or  the  Owl's  skull,  must  give  way. 
In  a  few  days,  however,  it  either  began  to  comprehend  something  of  the 
matter,  or  to  take  disgust  at  the  glass,  for  it  never  repeated  its  attempts  ; 
and  soon  became  quite  tame  and  familiar.  Those  who  have  seen  this  bird 
only  in  the  day,  can  form  but  an  imperfect  idea  of  its  activity,  and  even 
sprightliness,  in  its  proper  season  of  exercise.  Throughout  the  day,  it 
was  all  stillness  and  gravity ;  its  eyelids  half  shut,  its  nock  contracted, 
and  its  head  shrunk  seemingly  into  its  body ;  but  scarcely  was  the  sun 
set,  and  twilight  began  to  approach,  when  its  eyes  became  full  and 
sparkling,  like  two  living  globes  of  fire ;  it  crouched  on  its  perch,  recon- 
noitred every  object  around  with  looks  of  eager  fierceness ;  alighted  and 
fed ;  stood  on  the  meat  with  clenched  talons,  while  it  tore  it  in  morsels 
with  its  bill ;  flew  round  the  room  with  the  silence  of  thought,  and 


*  This  is  the  young  bird. 


fion 


w 


w 


102 


GREAT    AMERICAN    SHRIKE. 


perching,  moaned  out  its  melancholy  notes,  with  many  lively  gosticula- 
tions,  not  at  all  accordant  with  the  pitiful  tone  of  its  ditty,  which 
reminded  one  of  the  shivering  moaiiings  of  a  half-frozen  puppy. 

This  species  is  found  generally  over  the  United  States,  and  is  not 
migratory. 

The  Red  Owl  is  eight  inches  and  a  half  long,  and  twenty-one  inches 
in  extent ;  general  color  of  the  plumage  above,  a  bright  nut  brown  or 
lawny  red  ;  the  shafts  black  ;  exterior  edges  of  the  outer  row  of  scapu- 
lars white  ;  bastard  wing,  the  five  first  primaries  and  three  or  four  of 
the  first  greater  coverts,  also  spotted  .with  white ;  whole  wing  quills 
spotted  with  dusky  on  their  exterior  webs ;  tail  rounded,  transversely 
barred  with  dusky  and  pale  brown  ;  chin,  breast,  and  sides,  bright  red- 
dish brown,  streaked  laterally  with  I!  ..k,  intermixed  with  white;  belly 
and  vent  white,  spotted  with  bright  brown  ;  logs  covered  to  the  claws 
with  pale  brown  hairy  down ;  extremities  of  the  toes  and  claws  pale 
bluish,  ending  in  black ;  bill  a  palu  bluish  horn  color ;  eyes  vivid  yel- 
low ;  inner  angles  of  the  eyes,  eyebrows,  and  apace  surrounding  the 
bill,  whitish  ;  rest  of  the  face  nut  brown  ;  head  horned  or  eared,  each 
consisting  of  nine  or  ten  feathers,  of  a  tawny  red,  shafted  with  black. 


ORDER  II.    PICiE.    PIES. 

Genus  4.     LANIUS.    SIIUIKE.  '         . 

Spkciis  I.     LANIUS  EXCUBITORf 

GREAT  AMERICAN  SHRIKE,  or  BUTCHER-BIRD. 

[PUU  V.    Fig.  1.) 

La  Pie-griiche  grist,  Brrr.  i.,  296.  PI.  enl.  AAb.- White  Whisky-John,  Phil.  Tram. 
I.XII.,  p.  y,»(i.—Arct.  ZiKil.    II.,  No.  127, 

The  form  and  countenance  of  this  bird  bespeak  him  full  of  courage 
and  energy ;  and  his  true  character  does  not  belie  his  appearance,  for 
he  possesses  these  qualities  in  a  very  eminent  degree.  lie  is  represented 
in  the  plate  rather  less  than  his  true  size ;  but  in  just  proportion  ;  and 
with  a  fidelity  thai  will  enable  the  European  naturalist  to  determine, 
whether  this  be  really  the  same  with  the  great  Cinereous  Shrike  {Lanius 
exvubitor,  Linn.),  of  the  eastern  continent  or  not ;  though  the  progressive 
variableness  of  the  plumage,  passing,  according  to  age,  and  sometimes  to 


iMuius  aepttiUrionalii,  (Juki.. 


Liii 


1  ih  M 


GREAT    AMERICAN    SHRIKE. 


10b 


climate,  from  ferruginous  to  palo  ash,  and  even  to  a  bluish  white,  ren- 
ders it  impossible  that  this  should  be  an  exact  representation  of  every 
individual. 

This  species  is  by  no  means  numerous  in  the  lower  parts  of  Pennsyl- 
vania ;  though  most  so  during  the  months  of  November,  December  and 
March.  Soon  after  this  it  retires  to  the  north,  and  to  the  higher  inland 
parts  of  the  country  to  breed.  It  frequents  the  deepest  forests  ;  builds 
a  large  and  compact  nest  in  the  upright  fork  of  a  small  troo,  composed 
outwardly  of  dry  grass,  and  whitish  moss,  and  warmly  lined  within  with 
feathen,.  The  female  lays  six  eggs,  of  a  pale  cinereous  color,  thickly 
marked  at  the  greater  end  with  spuU  and  streaks  of  rufous.  She  sits 
fiftepn  days.  The  young  are  produced  early  in  June,  sometimes 
towards  the  latter  end  of  May ;  and  during  the  greater  part  of  the 
first  season  are  of  a  brown  ferruginous  color  on  the  back. 

When  we  compare  the  beak  of  this  species,  with  his  legs  and  claws, 
they  appear  to  belong  to  two  very  different  orders  of  birds ;  the  former 
approaching,  in  its  conformation,  to  that  of  the  Accipitrino ;  the  latter 
to  those  of  the  Pies ;  and,  indeed,  in  his  food  and  manners,  he  is  assimi- 
lated to  both.  For  though  man  has  arranged  and  subdivided  this  nu- 
merous class  of  animals  into  separate  tribes  and  families,  yet  nature  has 
united  these  to  each  other  by  such  nice  gradations,  and  so  intimately, 
that  it  is  hardly  possible  to  determine  where  one  tribe  ends,  or  the  suc- 
ceeding commences.  We  therefore  find  several  eminent  naturalists 
classing  this  genus  of  birds  w:th  the  Accipitrino,  others  with  the  Pies. 
Like  the  former  ho  preys,  occasionally,  on  other  birds ;  and  like  the 
latter  on  insects,  particularly  grasshoppers,  which  I  believe  to  bo  his 
principal  food ;  having  at  almost  all  times,  even  in  winter,  found  them 
in  his  stomach.  In  the  month  of  December,  and  while  the  country  was 
deeply  covered  with  snow,  I  shot  one  of  these  birds,  near  the  head 
waters  of  the  Mohawk  river,  in  the  state  of  New  York,  the  stomach  o'' 
whicl'  was  entirely  filled  with  largo  black  spiders.  He  was  of  a  much 
puret  Ahite,  above,  than  any  I  have  since  met  with ;  though  evidently 
of  the  same  species  with  the  present ;  and  I  think  it  probable,  that  the 
males  become  lighter  colored  as  they  advance  in  age,  till  the  minute 
transverse  lines  of  brown  on  the  lower  parts  almost  disappear. 

In  his  manners  he  has  more  resemblance  to  the  pies  than  to  birds  of 
prey,  particularly  in  tlie  habit  of  carrying  off  his  surplus  food,  as  if  to 
hoard  it  for  future  exigences ;  with  this  difference,  that  Crows,  Jays, 
Magpies,  &c.,  conceal  theirs  at  random,  in  holes  and  crevices,  where 
perhaps  it  is  forgotten  or  never  again  found ;  while  the  Butcher-bird 
sticks  his  on  thorns  and  bushes,  where  it  shrivels  in  the  sun,  and  soon 
becomes  equally  useless  to  the  hoarder.  Both  retain  the  same  habito 
in  a  state  of  confinement,  whatever  the  food  may  be  that  is  preecnted 
to  them.  1 


imtiiltamttiMim 


104 


GREAT    AMERICAN    SIIRIKK. 


hi  f 


|ii!i 


yi'i* 


fa  I 


U 


*  I' 


'/ 


I, 


M, 


This  habit  of  the  Shrike  of  seiaing  and  impaling  graBRhopporH,  and 
other  insects,  on  thorn«,  has  given  rise  to  an  opinion,  that  he  pluces 
their  carcasscH  there,  by  way  of  baits,  to  allure  small  birds  to  them, 
while  he  himself  lies  in  ambush  to  surprise  and  (lestroy  them.  In  this, 
however,  they  appear  to  allow  him  a  greater  portion  of  reason  and  con- 
trivance than  he  seems  untitled  to,  or  than  other  circumstances  will 
altogether  warrant ;  for  we  find  that  he  not  only  serves  grasshoppo-H  jji 
this  manner,  but  even  small  birds  themselves,  as  those  have  assured  nio 
who  have  kept  them  in  cages  in  this  country,  und  amused  themselves 
with  their  mancBuvres.  If  so,  wo  might  as  well  suppose  the  fanner  to 
be  inviting  Crows  to  his  corn,  when  he  hangs  up  their  carcasses  around 
it,  as  the  Hutcher-bird  to  be  decoying  small  birds  by  a  display  of  the 
dead  bodies  of  their  comrades. 

In  the  "  Transactions  of  the  American  Philosophical   Society,"  vol. 

IV.,  p.  124,  the  reader  may  find  a  long  letter  on  this  subject,  from  Mr. 

John    Heckewelder,  of   JJctblchem,   to  Dr.   IJartou ;    the  substance  of 

which  is  as  follows:    That  on  the  17th  of  December,   17'J5,  he  (Mr. 

Hcckewelder)  went  to  visit  a  young  orchard,  which  hod  been  planted  a 

few  weeks  before,  and  was  surprised  to  observe  on  every  one  of  the 

trees  one,  aiul  on  some,  two  and  three  grnsshoppers,  stuck  down  on  the 

sharp  thorny  branches ;  that  on  iiMiuiring  of  his  tenant  the  reason  of 

this,  he  informed  him,  that  they  were  stuck  there  by  a  small  bird  of 

proy  called  by  the  Germans  Neuntoedter  (Niiiekiller),  which  caught  and 

stuck  nine  grasshoppers  a  day ;  and  he  sujipimed  that  as  the  bird  itself 

never  fed  on  grasshoppers,  it  must  do  it  for  pleasure.     Mr.  Hcckewelder 

now  recollected  that  one  of  those  Ninekillert  had,  many  years  before, 

taken  a  favorite  bird  of  his  out  of  his  cage,  at  the  window  ;  since  which 

he  had  paid  particular  attention  to  it ;  and  being  perfectly  satisfie<l  that 

it  lived  entirely  on  mice  and  small  birds,  ami,  moreover,  observing  the 

grasshoppers  on  the  trees  all  fixed  in  natural  positions,  as  if  alive,  ho 

began  to  conjecture  that  this  was  done  to  decoy  such  small  bir<ls  as  feed 

on   these  insects  to  the  spot,  that   he  might  have  an  opportunity  of 

devouring  them.     "If  it  were  true,"  says  he,  "that  this  little  hawk 

had  stuck  them  up  for  himself,  how  long  would  he  be  in  feediiig  on  one 

or   two  hundred  grasshoppers 't     Hut  if  it  be  intended   to  seduce  the 

smaller  birds  to  feed  on  these  insects,  in  order  to  have  an  opportujiity 

of  catching  them,  that  number,  or  even  one-half,  or  less,  may  be  a  good 

bait  all  winter,"  &c.,  &c. 

This  is  indeed  a  very  pretty  fjmeiful  theory,  and  would  entitle  our 
bird  to  the  epithet  Fowler,  perhaps  with  more  propriety  than  Lanius,  or 
Jiutcher ;  but,  notwithstanding  the  attention  which  Mr.  Hcckewelder 
professes  to  have  paid  to  this  bird,  he  appears  not  only  to  have  been 
unacquainted  that  grasshoppers  were  in  fact  the  favorite  food  of  this 
Winckiller,  but  never  once  to  liuve  considered,  that  grasshoj)per9  would 


■-  iii'.  :j- 


GREAT    AMERICAN    SHRIKE. 


106 


be  but  a  very  insignificant  atid  tastclosH  bait  fur  our  winter  birds,  which 
are  chiefly  thoHO  of  the  Finch  kind,  tliat  feed  almost  exclusively  on 
hard  seeds  and  gravel ;  and  among  whom  five  hundred  grasshoppers 
might  bo  stuck  up  on  trees  and  bushes,  and  remain  there  untouched  by 
any  of  them  for  ever.    Besides,  where  is  his  necessity  of  having  recourse 
to  such  refined  stratagems,  when  ho  can  at  any  time  seize  upon  small 
birds  by  more  force  of  flight  ?     I  have  seen  him,  in  an  open  field,  dart 
after  one  of  our  small  sparrows,  with  the  rapidity  of  an  arrow,  and  kill 
it  almost  instantly.     Mr.  William  Bartrum  long  ago  informed  mo,  that 
one  of  these  Hhrikes  had  the  temerity  to  pursue  a  Snow-bird  [F.  llud- 
tonia),  into  an  open  cage,  which  stood  in  the  garden ;  and  before  they 
could  arrive  to  its  assistance,  had  already  strangled  and  sculped  it, 
though  he  lost  his  liberty  by  the  exploit.     In  short  I  am  of  opinion, 
that  his  resolution  and  activity  are  amply  sufficient  to  enable  him  to 
procure  these  s!nall  birds  whenever  he  wants  them,  which  I  believe  is 
never  but  when  hard  pressed  by  necessity,  and  a  deficiency  of  his 
favorite  insects ;  and  that  the  Crow  or  the  Blue  Jay  may,  with  tho  same 
probability,  be  supposed  to  be  laying  baits  for  mice  and  flying  squirrels, 
when  they  are  hoarding  their  Indian  corn,  as  ho  for  birds  while  thus 
disposing  of  the  exuberance  of  his  favorite  food.     Both  the  former  and 
the  latter  retain  the  same  habits  in  a  state  of  conflnement ;  the  one 
filling  every  seam  and  chink  of  his  cage  with  grain,  crumbs  of  bread, 
&c.,  and  the  other  sticking  up,  not  only  insects,  but  flesh,  and  tho  bodies 
of  such  birds  as  are  thrown  in  to  him,  on  nails  or  sharpened  sticks, 
fixed  up  for  the  purpose.     Nor,  say  others,  is  this  practice  of  tho  Shrike 
difficult  to  be  accounted  for.     Nature  has  given  to  this  bird  a  strong, 
sharp,  and  powi-rfiil  beak,  a  broad  heail,  and  groat  strength  in  the  mus- 
cles of  his  neck ;  but  his  legs,  feet  and  claws,  aro  by  no  means  propor- 
tionably  strong ;  and  are  unequal  to  the  task  of  grasping  and  tearing 
his  prey,  like  those  of  the  Owl  and  Falcon  kind.     lie  therefore  widely 
avails  nimself  of  the  powers  of  tho  former,  both  in  strangling  his- prey, 
and  in  tearing  it  to  pieces  while  feeding. 

The  character  of  the  Butcher-bird  is  entitled  to  no  common  degree 
of  respect.  His  activity  is  visible  in  all  his  motions;  his  courage  and 
intrepidity  beyond  every  other  other  bird  of  his  size  (one  only 
excepted,  the  King-bird,  L.  ti/ntnnug,  Linn.),  and  in  affection  for  his 
young  he  i^'  surpassed  by  no  other,  lie  associates  with  them  in  the 
latter  pan  of  summer,  the  whole  family  hunting  in  company,  IIo 
attacks  the  largest  Hawk,  or  Eagle,  in  their  defence,  with  a  resolution 
truly  astonisliing ;  so  that  all  of  them  respect  him ;  and  on  every 
occasion  decline  the  contest.  As  the  snows  of  winter  approach,  he 
descends  from  the  mountainous  forests,  and  from  the  retriona  of  the 
north,  to  the  more  cultivated  parts  of  the  country,  hovering  about  our 


rt7»f'r:?:*.»)».i 


•'   !' 


iy-- 


106 


GREAT    AMERICAN    SHRIKE. 


hedge-rows,   orcbarda   and   meadows,    and  disappears    again    early  in 
April. 

The  Great  American  Shrike  is  ten  inches  in  length,  and  thirteen  in 
extent ;  the  upper  part  of  the  head,  neck  and  back,  is  pale  cinereous ; 
sides  of  the  head  nearly  white,  crossed  with  a  bar  of  black,  tl  it  passes 
from  the  nostril  through  the  eve  to  the  middle  of  the  neck ;  the  whole 
under  parts,  in  some  specimens,  are  nearly  white,  and  thickly  marked 
with  minute  transverse  curving  lines  of  light  brown  ;  the  wings  are 
black,  tipped  with  white,  with  a  single  spot  of  white  on  the  primaries, 
just  below  their  coverts ;  the  scapulars,  or  long  downy  feathers  that 
fall  over  the  upper  part  of  the  wing,  are  pure  white ;  the  rump  and 
tail-coverts  a  very  fine  gray  or  light  ash ;  the  tail  is  cuneiform,  con- 
sisting of  twelve  fv-ather.,,  the  two  middle  ones  wholly  black,  the  others 
tipped  more  and  more  with  white  to  the  exterior  ones,  which  are  nearly 
all  white ;  the  legs,  feet  and  claws,  are  black  ;  the  beak  straight,  thick, 
of  a  light  blue  color ;  the  upper  mandible  furnished  with  a  sharp  pro- 
ce.-»8  bending  down  greatly  at  the  point,  where  it  is  black,  and  beset  at 
the  base  with  a  number  of  long  black  hairs  or  bristles ;  the  nostrils  are 
also  thickly  covered  with  recumbent  hairs ;  the  iris  of  the  eye  is  a 
light  hazel,  pupil  black.  Th«  figure  in  the  plate  aIH  give  a  perfect 
idea  of  the  bird.  The  female  is  easily  distinguished  by  being  ferru- 
ginous on  the  back  and  head  ;  and  having  the  band  of  black  extend- 
ing only  behind  the  eye,  and  of  a  dirty  brown  or  burnt  color,  the  under 
parts  are  also  'something  rufous,  and  the  curving  lines  morff  strongly 
marked ;  she  is  rather  less  than  the  male,  which  is  different  from  birds 
of  prey  in  general,  the  females  of  which  are  usually  the  larger  of  the 
two. 

In  the  Arctic  Zoology  wo  are  told  that  this  species  is  frequent  in 
Russia,  but  does  not  extend  to  Siberia ;  yet  one  was  taken  witliii" 
Behring's  straits,  on  the  Asiatic  side,  iii  lat.  66° ;  and  the  species  pro- 
bably, extends  over  the  whole  continent  of  North  America,  from  the 
western  ocean.  Mr.  Bell,  while  on  his  travels  through  Russia,  had  one 
of  these  birds  given  him,  which  he  kept  in  a  room,  having  fixed  up  a 
sharpened  stick  for  him  in  the  wall ;  and  on  turning  small  birds  loose 
in  the  room,  the  Butcher-bird  instantly  caught  them  by  the  throat  in 
such  a  manner  as  soon  to  sufTociite  them ;  and  tben  stuck  them  on  the 
stick,  pulling  them  on  with  bill  and  claws  ;  and  so  served  as  many  as 
were  turned  loose,  one  after  another,  on  the  same  stick.* 

•  Edward*,  v.  vii.,  p.  231. 


Spicits  II.    LANIUS  CAROUNENSIS* 

LOGGERHEAD  SHRIKE. 

[Plata  XZII.    Fig.  6] 

This  species  has  a  considerable  resemblance  to  the  Great  American 
Shrike.  It  diifers,  however,  from  that  bi'  d  in  size,  being  a  full  inch 
si  >rter,  and  in  color,  being  much  darker  on  the  upper  parts ;  and  in 
having  the  frontlet  black.  It  also  inhabits  the  warmer  parts  of  tho 
United  States ;  while  the  Great  American  Shrike  is  chiefly  confined  to 
the  northern  regions,  and  seldom  extends  to  the  south  of  Virginia. 

This  species  inhabits  the  rice  plantations  of  Carolina  and  Georgia, 
where  it  is  protected  for  its  usefulness  in  destroying  mice.  It  sits,  for 
hours  together,  on  the  fence,  beside  the  stacks  of  rice,  watching  like  a 
cat ;  and  as  soon  as  it  perceives  a  mouse,  darts  on  it  like  a  Hawk.  It 
also  feeds  on  crickets  and  grasshoppers.  Its  note,  in  March,  r osembled 
tho  clear  creaking  of  a  sign  board,  in  windy  weather.  It  builds  ita 
nest,  as  I  was  informed,  generally  in  a  detached  bush,  much  like  that  of 
the  Mocking-bird  ;  but  as  the  spring  was  not  then  sufficiently  advanced, 
I  had  no  opportunity  of  seeing  its  eggs.  It  is  generally  known  by  the 
name  of  the  Loggerhead. 

This  species  is  nine  inches  long  and  thirteen  in  extent ;  the  color 
above  is  cinereous  or  dark  'ish ;  scapulars,  and  line  over  the  eye, 
whi'.ish ;  wings  black,  wit'i  a  small  spot  of  white  at  the  base  of  tho 
primaries,  and  tipped  with  white;  a  stripe  of  black  passes  along  tho 
front  through  each  eye,  Isalf  way  down  the  aide  of  the  neck  ;  eye  dark 
hazel,  sunk  below  the  eyebrow  ;  tail  cuneiform,  tho  four  middle  feathers 
wholly  black,  the  four  exterior  ^/nes  on  each  side  tipped  more  and  more 
with  white  to  the  outer  one  which  is  nearly  all  white ;  whole  lower  parts 
white,  and  in  some  specimena,  both  of  males  and  females,  marked  with 
transverse  linos  of  very  pale  brown  ;  bill  and  legs  black. 

The  female  is  considerably  darker  both  above  and  below,  but  the 
black  do.^    not  re-'e'i  so  high  on  the  front;  it  is  also  rather  less  in  size. 


'  iMniui  LvtluvuMiiun,  LlN^f.,  wliiuh  name  iiiUHt  bo  adopted.  In  Buffon,  pi.  enl. 
528,  thorn  itt  u  figure  of  u  young  binl. — Syuonyiutw  :  La  I'ie-grieacke  de  la  Louisitmf., 
Briss.  2,  p.  162. — Latu.  ind.  Urn.  p.  69. 

(107) 


i'f  !     <K 


Gknus  v.     PSITTACUS.     PARROT. 
P.    CAROLINEySlS. 

CAROLINA     PARROT. 

[Plate  XXVI.    Fig.  1.] 

Linn.  ^yst.  i.,  p.  97,  ed.  10. — Catesuv,  i.,  11.— Latham,  i.,  'I'H.—Arct.  Zool.  242, 

No.  132.     Ibid.  VXA* 

Of  one  hundred  and  sixty-eight  kinds  of  Parrots,  enumerated  by 
European  writers  as  inhabiting  the  various  regions  of  the  globe,  tliis  is 
the  only  species  found  native  within  the  territory  of  the  United  States. 
The  vjist  and  lu.xuriant  tracts  lying  within  the  torrid  zone,  seem  to  be  the 
favorite  residence  of  tliose  noi.sy,  numerous,  and  riehly-phnnaged  tribes. 
The  Count  do  Buffon  has,  indeed,  circumscribed  the  whole  genus  of  Par- 
rot«  to  a  space  not  extending  more  than  twenty-three  degrees  on  each 
side  of  the  equator ;  but  later  discoveries  have  shown  this  statement  to 
be  incorrx'ct ;  as  these  birds  have  been  found  on  our  continent  as  far 
south  as  the  Straits  of  Magellan,  and  even  on  the  remote  shores  of  Van 
Diemen's  Land,  in  Terra  Australasia.  The  species  now  under  consider- 
ation is  also  known  to  inhabit  the  interior  of  Louisiana,  and  tiie  shores 
of  the  Mississippi  and  Ohio,  and  their  tributary  waters,  even  beyond  the 
Illinois  river,  to  the  neighborhood  of  Lake  Michigan,  in  lat.  42°  North  ; 
and,  contrary  to  the  generally  received  oj)ini()n,  is  ehicHy  rcguivnt  in  all 
these  places.  Eastward,  liowever,  of  the  great  range  of  the  Alleghany, 
it  is  seldom  seen  farther  north  than  the  State  of  Maryland ;  thtrngh 
straggling  parties  have  been  occa.«ionally  observed  among  the  valleys  of 
the  Juniata;  and  according  to  some,  even  twenty-five  miles  to  the  north- 
west of  Albany,  in  the  State  of  New  Y'ork.t  IJut  sucii  accidental 
visits  furnish  no  certain  criteria  by  v  .lich  to  judge  of  their  usual  extent 
of  range  ;  those  aerial  voyagers,  as  well  as  others  who  navigate  the  deep, 
being  subject  to  be  ciist  awny,  by  the  violence  of  the  elements,  on  dis- 
tant shores  and  unknown  countries. 

From  the.se  circumstances  of  the  northern  residence  of  this  species, 
we  might  be  justifietl  in  concluding  it  to  be  a  very  hardy  bird,  more 
capable  of  sustaining  cold  than  nine-tenths  of  its  tribe  ;  and  so  I  believe 


•  We  add  the  rollowirift  iiyiionymes:  La  Perrurhe  de  la  Car<ilinf,  Briss.  4,  p, 
350. —  (hranije-hfaded  I'arrol,  Lath.  O'en.  Syn.  I.,  p.  304.     Jnd.  Orn.  p.  93. 
t  Barton'm  Fraj;tiiont«,  At'.,  p.  Ci,  Introd. 

(108) 


CAROLINA    PARROT. 


109 


it  is ;  having  myself  seen  them,  in  the  month  of  February,  along  the 
banks  of  the  Ohio,  in  a  snow  storm,  flying  about  like  pigeons,  and  ir 
full  cry. 

The  preference,  however,  which  this  bird  gives  to  the  western  coun- 
tries, lying  in  the  same  parallel  of  latitude  with  those  eastward  of  the 
Alleghany  mountains,  which  it  rarely  or  never  visits,  is  worthy  of  re- 
mark ;  and  has  been  adduced,  by  different  writers,  as  a  proof  of  the 
superior  mildness  of  climate  in  the  former  to  that  of  the  latter.     But 
there  are  other  reasons  for  this  partiality  equally  powerful,  though 
hitherto  overlooked ;  namely,  certain   peculiar  features  of  country,  to 
which  these  birds  are  particularly  and  strongly  attached  ;  those  are,  low, 
rich,  alluvial  bottoms,  along  the  borders  of  creeks,  covered  with  a  gigan- 
tic growth  of  sycamore  trees  or  button-wood — deep  and  almost  impene- 
trable swamps,  where  the  vart  and  towering  cypress  lift  their  still  more 
majestic  heads ;    aiid  those  singular  salines,  or,  as  they  are  usually 
called,  lickn,  sa  generally  interspersed  over  that  country,  and  which  are 
regularly  and  eagerly  visited  by  the  Paroquets.     A  still  greater  induce- 
ment is  the  superior  abundance  of  their  favorite  fruits.    That  food  which 
the  Paroquet  prefers  to  all  otliers,  is  the  seeds  of  the  cockle-burr,  a  plant 
rarely  found  in  the  lower  parts  of  Pcjinsylvania,  or  New  York ;  but 
which  unfortunately  grows  in  too  great  abundance  along  the  shores  of 
the  Ohio  and  Mississippi,  so  mucli  so  as  to  render  the  wool  of  those 
sheep,  that  pasture  where  it  most  abounds,  scarcely  worth  the  cleaning, 
covering  them  with  one  solid  mass  of  burrs,  wrouj;ht  up  and  imbedded 
into  the  fleece,  to  the  great  annoyance  of  this  valuable  animal.     The 
seeds  of  the  cypress-tree  and  haokberry,  as  well  as  beocli-nuts,  are  also 
great  favorites  with  those  birds  ;  tlie  two  former  of  which  are  not  com- 
monly found  in  Pennsylvania,  and  the  latter  by  no  means  so  general  or 
so  productive.    Hero  tlien  arc  several  powerful  reasons,  more  dependent 
on  soil  than  climate,  for  the  preference  given  by  those  l)irdH  to  tlie  luxu- 
riant regions  of  tlie  west.     Pennsylvania,  indoeil,  and  also  Maryland, 
abound  with  excellent  apple  orchards,  on  the  ripe  fruit  of  which  the 
Paroquets  occasionally  food.    lUit  I  have  my  doul'ts  whether  their  depre- 
dations in  the  orchard  bo  not   as   niuoli   the  result  of  wanton  play  and 
mischief,  as  regard  for  the  soods  of  tlio  fruit,  which   they  are  supposed 
to  be  in  pursuit  of.     I  have  known  a  flock  of  those  birds  alight  on  an 
apple  tree,  and  have  myself  seen  thorn  twist  (iff  the  fruit,  one  by  one, 
strewing  it  in  ovory  divootion  around  tlio  tree,  without  olworving  that  any 
of  the  doprodators  dosoondod  to  ]>iok  tlioiii  uj).     To  a  Paro(|uot  which  I 
wounded,  and  kept  for  some  considirablo  tinio,  I  very  often  off"ered  ap- 
ples, which  it  unifonnly  rejected  ;  but  burrs,  or  beoch-iiuts  never.     To 
another  very  boautiful  one,  wliioli   I   l)rouglit  from  Now  Orleans,  and 
which   is  now   sitting  in   the  room  bosido  nie,  1  have  frociuently  off'cred 
this  fruit,  and  also  the  seeds  separately,  which  I  never  know  it  to  taato. 


0  I 


110 


CAROLINA    PARROT. 


Their  local  attachments  also  prove  that  food  more  than  climate  deter 
mines  their  choice  of  country.  For  even  in  the  states  of  Ohio,  Ken- 
tucky, and  the  Mississippi  territory,  unless  in  the  neighborhood  of  such 
places  as  have  been  described,  it  is  rare  to  sec  them.  The  inhabitants 
of  Lexington,  as  many  of  them  assured  me,  scarcely  ever  observe  them 
in  that  quarter.  In  passing  from  that  place  to  Nashville,  a  distai.^e  of 
two  hundred  miles,  I  neither  heard  nor  saw  any,  but  at  a  place  call  ;d 
Madison's  Lick.  In  passing  on,  I  next  met  with  them  on  the  banks  and 
rich  flats  of  the  Tennessee  river  ;  after  this  I  saw  no  more  till  I  reached 
Bayo  St.  Pierre,  a  distance  of  several  hundred  miles ;  from  all  which 
circumstances,  I  think  we  cannot,  from  the  residences  of  these  birds, 
establish  with  propriety,  any  correct  standard  by  which  to  judge  of  the 
comparative  temperatures  of  different  climates. 

In  descending  the  river  Ohio,  by  myself,  in  the  month  of  February,  I 
met  with  the  first  flock  of  Paroquets  at  the  rnouth  of  the  Little  Scioto. 
I  had  been  informed,  by  an  old  and  respectable  iidiabitant  of  Marietta, 
that  they  were  sometimes,  though  rarely,  seen  there.  I  observed  flocks 
of  them,  afterwards,  at  the  mouth  of  the  Great  and  Little  Miami,  and 
in  the  neighborhood  of  numerous  creeks,  that  discharge  themselves  into 
the  Ohio.  At  Big-Bone  Lick,  thirty  miles  above  the  mouth  of  Ken- 
tucky river,  I  saw  them  in  great  numbers.  They  came  screaming 
through  the  woods  in  the  morning,  about  an  hour  after  sunrise,  to  drink 
the  salt  water,  of  which  they,  as  well  as  the  pigeons,  are  remarkably 
fond.  When  they  alighted  on  the  ground,  it  appeared,  at  a  distance,  as 
if  covered  with  a  carpet  of  the  richest  green,  orange  and  yellow.  They 
afterwards  settled,  in  one  body,  on  a  neighboring  tree,  which  stood  de- 
tached from  any  other,  covering  almost  every  twig  of  it,  and  the  sun 
shining  strongly  on  their  gay  and  glossy  plumage,  prndueed  a  very  beau- 
tiful and  splendid  appearance.  Here  I  had  an  opportunity  of  observing 
some  very  particular  traits  of  their  character.  Having  shot  down  a 
number,  some  of  which  were  only  wounded,  the  whole  flock  swept  re- 
peatedly I.  ound  their  prostrate  companions,  and  again  settled  on  a  low 
tree,  within  twenty  yards  of  the  spot  where  I  stood.  At  each  successive 
discharge,  though  showers  of  them  fell,  yet  the  affection  of  the  survi- 
vors seemed  rather  to  increime;  for  after  a  few  circuits  around  the  place, 
they  again  alighted  near  me,  looking  down  on  their  slaughtered  compa- 
Tiioris,  with  such  manifest  symptoms  of  sympathy  and  concern,  as  entirely 
disarmed  nie.  I  could  not  but  take  notice  of  the  remarkable  contrast 
between  their  elegant  manner  of  flight,  and  their  lame  and  crawling  gait 
among  the  branches.  They  fly  very  much  like  the  WiM  Pigeon,  in  close, 
compact  bodies,  and  with  great  rapidity,  making  a  loud  and  outrageous 
screaming,  not  unlike  that  of  the  Hed-headed  Wdodpeckcr.  Their  flight 
is  sometimes  in  a  direct  line  ;  but  most  usually  circuitous,  nniking  a  great 
variety  of  elegant  and  easy  serpentine  meanders,  as  if  for  pleasure. 


'v     t 


CAROLINA    PARROT. 


Ill 


They  arc  particularly  attached  to  the  large  sycamores,  in  the  hollow  of 
the  trunks,  and  branches  of  which,  they  generally  roost,  thirty  or  forty, 
and  sometimes  more,  entering  at  the  same  hole.     Here  they  cling  close 
to  the  sides  of  the  tree,  holding  fast  by  the  claws,  and  also  by  the  bills. 
They  appear  to  be  fond  of  sleep,  and  often  retire  to  their  holes  during 
the  day,  probably  to  take  their  regular  siesta.     They  are  extremely  so- 
ciable with  and  fond  of  each  other,  often  scratching  each  other's  heads 
and  necks,  and  always  at  night  nestling  as  close  as  possible  to  each 
other,  preferring,  at  that  time,  a  perpendicular  position,  supported  by 
their  bill  and  claws.     In  the  fall,  when  their  favorite  cockle-burrs  are 
ripe,  they  swarm  along  the  coast,  or  high   grounds  of  the  Mississippi, 
above  New  Orleans,  for  a  great  extent.     At  such  times  they  are  kille^^ 
and  eaten  by  many  of  the  inhabitants ;  though  I  confess  I  think  their  • 
flesh  very  indifferent.     I  have  several  times  dined  on  it  from  necessity 
in  the  woods  ;  but  found  it  merely  passable,  with  all  the  sauce  of  a  keen 
appetite  to  recommend  it.* 

A  very  genertil  opinion  prevails,  that  the  brains  and  jntestinea  of  the 
Carolina  Paroquet  are  a  sure  and  fatal  poison  to  cats.  I  had  deter- 
mined, when  at  Big-Bone,  to  put  this  to  the  test  of  experiment ;  and  for 
that  purpose  collected  the  brains  and  bowels  of  more  than  a  dozen  of 
them.  But  after  close  search  Mrs.  Puss  was  not  to  be  found,  being  en- 
gaged perhaps  on  more  agreeable  business.  I  left  the  medicine  with 
Mr.  Colquhoun's  agent,  to  administer  it  by  the  first  opportunity,  and 
write  me  the  result ;  but  I  have  never  yet  heard  from  him.  A  respect- 
able lady  near  the  town  of  Niitchcz,  and  on  whoso  word  I  can  rely, 
assured  me,  that  she  herself  had  ma<le  the  experiment,  and  that,  what- 
ever might  be  the  cause,  the  cat  had  actually  died  either  on  that  or  the 
succeeding  day.  A  French  planter  near  Bayo  Fourche  pretended  to 
account  to  me  for  this  effect,  by  positively  asserting  that  the  seods  of  the 
cockle-burrs,  on  which  the  Paroquets  so  eagerly  feed,  were  deleterious 
to  cats ;  au<l  thus  their  death  was  produced  by  eating  the  intestines  of 
the  bird.  These  matters  might  easily  have  been  ascertained  on  the 
spot,  which,  however,  a  combination  of  trifling  circumstances  prevented 
me  from  doing.  I  several  times  carried  a  dose  of  the  first  description 
in  my  pocket,  till  it  became  insufferable,  without  meeting  with  a  suitable 
patient,  on  whom,  like  other  professional  gentlemen,  I  might  conve- 
niently make  a  fair  experiment. 

I  was  equally  unsuccessful   in  my  endeavors  to  discover  the  time  of 


•  Hull  (iiir  uutfior  boon  proviilod  with  jmtpor  nppnrntiiH  to  cook  tlieso  l)ird»,  and 
Duitiililo  coniliinentH,  he  would,  doiihtleHS,  hiivp  hvv.t\  of  aciiflTurciit  o|iinion.  Mr.  T. 
IValo  nnd  myself,  when  in  East  Florida,  wlicre  tliiH  HjiecipH  In  found  in  great  nuin- 
berp,  thouglit  them  excellent  eating.  In  Florida  the  l'iiro()netn  are  migratory.  We 
gaw  the  flrHt  llook  of  tliem,  at  tlio  t'owford,  on  the  river  .St.  John,  on  tho  first  of 
March  :  tho  j;rcater  part  of  thorn  were  mulos. — 0.  Ord. 


112 


CAROLINA    PARROT. 


1% 


incubation  or  manner  of  building  among  these  birds.     All  agreed  that 

they  breed  in  hollow  trees ;   and  several  affirmed  to  me  that  they  had 

seen  their  nests.     Some  said  they  carried  in  no  materials ;  others  that 

ihey  did.     Some  made  the  eggs   white ;    others   speckled.     One  man 

assured  me  that  he  had  cut  down  a  large  beech-tree,  which  was  hollow, 

and  in   which  he  found   the   broken  fragments  of  upwards  of  twenty 

Paroquets'  eggs,  which  were  of  a  greenish  yellow  color.     The  nests, 

though  destroyed  in  their  texture  by  the  falling  of  th(     roe,  appeared, 

he  said,  to  be  formed  of  small  twigs  glued  to  each  other,  and  to  the  side 

of  the  tree,  in  the  manner  of  the  Chimney  Swallow.     He  added,  that 

if  it  were  the  proper  season,  he  could  point  out  to  me  the  weed  from 

which  they  procured  the  gluey  matter.     From  all  these  contradictory 

accounts,  nothing  certain  can  be   deduced,  except  that  they  build  in 

companies,  in  hollow  trees.     That  they  commence  incubation   late  in 

summer,  or  very  early  in  the  spring,  I  think  highly  probable,  from  the 

numerous  dissections  I  made  in  the  months  of  March,  April,  May  and 

June ;  and  the  great  variety  which  I  found  in  the  color  of  the  plumage 

of  the  head  and  neck,  of  both  sexes,  during  the  two  former  of  these 

iioiiths,  convinces  me.  ihat  the  young  birds  do  not  receive  their  full 

c  dors  until  the  early  part  of  the  succeeding  summer. 

Willie  Parrots  and  Paroquets,  from  foreign  countries,  abound  in 
almost  every  street  of  our  large  cities,  and  become  such  great  favorites, 
no  attention  seems  to  have  been  paid  to  our  own,  which  in  elegance  of 
figure,  and  1)eauty  of  plumage,  is  certainly  superior  to  many  of  them. 
It  wants,  indeed,  that  ilisposition  for  perpetual  screaming  and  chatter- 
ing, that  renders  some  of  the  former,  pests,  not  only  to  their  keepers, 
but  to  the  whole  neighborhood  in  which  they  reside.  It  is  alike  docile 
and  sociable;  soon  becomes  perfectly  familiar ;  and  until  e(jual  pains 
be  taken  in  its  instruction,  it  is  unfair  to  conclude  it  incapable  of  equal 
improvement  in  the  language  of  man. 

As  so  little  has  hitherto  been  known  of  the  <lisposition  and  manners 
of  this  species,  tiie  reader  will  not.  I  hope,  be  displeased  at  my  detail- 
ing some  of  these,  in  the  history  of  a  particular  favorite,  my  sole  com- 
panion in  many  a  lonesome  day's  marcii,  and  of  which  the  figure  in  the 
plate  is  a  faithful  resemblance. 

Anxious  to  try  the  effects  of  education  on  one  of  those  which  I  pro- 
cured at  P>ig-]{((ne  Lick,  and  whicii  was  Itut  sliglitly  wounded  in  the 
wing.  I  fixed  up  a  place  for  it  in  the  stern  of  my  boat,  and  presented  it 
with  some  cockle-burrs,  which  it  freely  fed  on  in  less  than  an  hour  alter 
being  on  board.  The  intermediate  time,  between  eating  and  sleeping, 
was  occupied  in  gnawing  the  sticks  that  formed  its  j)lace  of  confineinent, 
in  order  to  make  a  practicable  breach,  whicli  it  repeatedly  effectdl. 
When  I  abandoned  the  river,  and  travelled  by  land,  I  wrapped  it  up 
closely  in  a  silk  handkerchief,  tying  it  tightly  around,  and  carried  it  in 


CAROLINA    PARROT. 

my  pocket.     When  I  stopped  for  refreshment,  I  unbound  my  prisoner, 
and  gave  it  its  allowance,  which  it  generally  despatched  with  great 
dexterity,  unhusking  the  seeds  from  the  burr  in  a  twinkling ;  in  doing 
which  it  always  employed  its  left  foot  to  hold  the  burr,  as  did  several 
others  that  I  kept  for  some  time.     I  began  to  think  that  this  might  be 
peculiar  to  the  whole  tribe,  and  that  the  whole  were,  if  I  may  use  the 
expression,  left-footed;   but   by  shooting  a  number  afterwards,  while 
engaged  in  eating  mulberries,  I  found  sometimes  the  left,  sometimes  the 
right  foot,  stained  with  the  fruit ;  the  other  always  clean  ;  from  which, 
and  the  constant  practice  of  those  I  kept,  it  appears,  that  like  the 
human  species  in  the  use  of  their  hands,  they  do  not  prefer  one  or  the 
other  indiscriminately,  but  are  either  left  or  rigid-footed.     But  to  return 
to  my  prisoner.     In  recommitting  it  to  "  durance  vile,"  we  generally 
had  a  quarrel ;  during  wli'ch  it  frequently  paid  me  in  kind  for  the 
wound  I  had  inflicted,  and  for  depriving  it  of  liberty,  by  cutting  and 
almost  disabling  several  of  my  fingers  with  its  sharp  and  powerful  bill. 
The  path  through  the  wilderness,  between  Nashville  and  Natchez,  is  in 
some  places  bad  beyond  description.     There  are  dangerous  creeks  to 
swim,  miles  of  morass  to  struggle  through,  rendered  almost  as  gloomy 
as  night  by  a  prodigious  growth  of  timl>cr,  and  an  underwood  of  canes 
and  other  evergreens ;  while  the  descent  into  these  sluggish  streams  ia 
often  ten  or  fifteen  feet  perpendicular  into  a  bed  of  deep  clay.    In  some 
of  the  worst  of  these  places,  where  I  had,  as  it  were,  to  fight  my  way 
through,  the  Paroquet  frequently  escaped  from  my  pocket,  ol)liging  me 
to  dismount  and  pursue  it  through  the  worst  of  the  morass,  before  I 
could  regain  It.     On  these  occasions  I  was  several  times  tempted  to 
abandon  it ;    but  I  persisted  in  bringing  it  along.     When  at  night  I 
encamped  in  the  woods,  I  placed  it  on  tiic  baggage  beside  nie,  where  it 
usually  sat,  with  great  composure,  dozing  and  gazing  at  the  fire  till 
morning.     In  this  manner  I  carried  it  upwards  of  a  thousand  miles  in 
my  pocket,  where  it  was  exposed  all  day  to  tiie  jolting  of  the  horse,  but 
roi'ularly  liberated  at  meal  times,  and  in  the  evening,  at  which  it  always 
expressed  great  satisfaction.     In  passing  through  the  Chickasaw  and 
Choctaw  nations,  the  Indians,  wherever  I  stopped  to  feed,  collected 
around  me,  men,  women  and  children,  laughing  and  seeming  wonder- 
fuUv  amusf(l  witli   the   novelty  of   my  companion.      The   Cliickasaws 
called  it  in  their  language  ^^  Kclinkif ;"  but  when  they  heard  me  call  it 
poll,  they  soon  repeated  the  name;  and  wherever  I  chanced  to  stop 
iiniong  these  people,  we  soon  became  familiar  witli  each  other  tlirough 
the  medium  of  Poll.     On  arriving  at  Mr.   Dunbar's,  below  Natchez,  I 
procured  a  cage,  and  placed  it  uniler  the  piazza,  where  by  its  call  it 
soon  attracted  the  passing  flocks,  such  is  the  attachment  they  have  for 
each  other.     Numerous  parties  frequently  alighted  on  the  trees  imme- 
diately above,  keeping  up  a  constant  conversation  with  the  prisoner 
Vol.  I.— 8 


114 


CAROLINA    PARROT. 


!'  '■*£ 


One  of  these  I  wounded  slightly  in  the  wing,  and  the  pleasure  Poll 
expressed  on  meeting  with  this  new  companion  was  really  amusing. 
She  crept  close  up  to  it,  as  it  hung  on  the  side  of  the  cage,  chattered 
to  it  in  a  low  tone  of  voice,  as  if  sympathizing  in  its  misfortune, 
scratched  ahout  its  head  and  nock  with  her  hill ;  and  hotli  at  night 
nestled  as  close  as  possible  to  each  other,  sometimes  Poll's  head  being 
thrust  among  the  plumage  of  the  other.  On  the  death  of  this  com- 
panion, she  appeared  restless  and  inconsolable  for  several  days.  On 
reaching  New  Orleans,  I  placed  a  looking-glass  beside  the  place  where 
she  usually  sat,  and  the  instant  she  perceived  her  image,  all  her  former 
fondness  seemed  to  return,  so  that  she  could  scarcely  absent  herself 
from  it  a  moment.  It  was  evident  that  she  was  completely  deceived. 
Always  when  evening  drew  on,  and  often  during  the  day,  she  laid  her 
head  close  to  that  of  the  image  in  the  glass,  and  began  to  doze  with 
great  composure  and  satisfaction.  In  this  short  space  she  had  learnt 
to  know  her  name ;  to  answer  and  come  when  called  on  ;  to  climb  up 
my  clothes,  sit  on  my  shoulder,  and  eat  from  my  mouth.  I  took  her 
with  me  to  sea,  determined  to  persevere  in  her  education  ;  but,  destined 
to  another  fate,  poor  Poll,  having  one  morning  about  day-break  wrought 
her  way  through  the  cage,  while  I  was  asleep,  instantly  flew  overboard, 
and  perished  in  the  gulf  of  Mexico. 

The  Carolina,  or  Illinois  Parrot  (for  it  has  been  described  under  both 
these  appellations),  is  thirteen  inches  long,  and  twenty-one  in  extent ; 
forehead  and  cheeks  orange  red ;  beyond  this,  for  an  inch  and  a  half, 
down  and  round  the  neck,  a  rich  and  pure  yellow ;  shoulder  and  bend 
of  the  wing  also  edged  with  rich  orange  red ;  the  general  color  of  the 
rest  of  the  plumage  is  a  bright  yellowish  silky  green,  with  light  blue 
reflections,  lightest  and  most  diluted  with  yellow  below ;  greater  wing- 
coverts,  and  roots  of  the  primaries,  yellow,  slightly  tinged  with  green  ; 
interior  webs  of  the  primaries  deep  dusky  purple,  almost  black,  exterior 
ones  bluish  green  ;  tail  long,  cuneiform,  consisting  of  twelve  featliers, 
the  exterior  one  only  half  the  length,  llic  others  increa;;ing  to  the 
middle  ones,  which  are  streaked  along  the  middle  with  light  blue;  shafts 
of  all  the  larger  featliers,  and  of  most  part  of  the  green  plumage,  black  ; 
knees  and  vent  orange  yeUow  ;  feet  a  pale  whitish  flesh  color ;  claws 
black;  bill  white,  or  -iightly  tinged  with  pale  cream;  iris  of  the  eye 
hazel ;  round  tlie  eye  is  a  small  space,  without  featlu-rs,  covere<l  with 
a  whitish  skin  ;  nostrils  placed  in  an  elevated  menibratu?  at  the  base 
of  the  bill,  iuid  covered  with  feathers  ;  chin  wholly  bare  of  feathers, 
but  concealed  by  those  descending  on  each  aide  ;  from  each  side  of  the 
palate  hangs  a  lobe  or  skin  of  a  blackish  color ;  tongue  thick  and  fleshy  ; 
inside  of  the  upper  mandible,  near  the  point,  grooved  exactly  like  a 
file,  that  it  may  hold  with  more  security. 

The  female  differs  very  little  in  her  colors  and  markings  from  the 


CAROLINA    PARROT. 


116 


male.  After  examining  numerous  specimens,  the  following  appear  to 
be  the  principal  differencen.  The  yellow  on  the  neck  of  the  female 
does  not  descend  quite  so  far ;  the  interior  vanes  of  the  primaries  are 
brownish  instead  of  black  ;  and  the  oraiige  red  on  the  bend  and  edges 
of  the  wing  is  considerably  narrower ;  in  other  respects  the  colors  and  , 
markings  are  nearly  the  same. 

The  young  birds  of  the  preceding  year,  of  both  sexes,  are  generally 
destitute  of  the  yellow  on  the  head  and  neck,  until  about  the  beginning 
or  middle  of  March,  having  those  parts  wholly  green,  except  the  front 
and  checks,  which  are  orange  red  in  them,  as  in  the  full  grown  birds. 
Towards  the  middle  of  March,  the  yellow  begins  to  appear  in  detached 
feathers,  interspersed  among  the  green,  varying  in  different  individuals. 
In  some  which  I  killed  about  the  last  of  that  month,  only  a  few  green 
feathers  remained  among  the  yellow  ;  and  these  were  fast  assuming  the 
yellow  tint;  for  the  color  changes  tvithout  change,  of  plumage. 

What  is  called  by  Europeans  the  Illinois  Parrot  [Psittacus  pcrtinax), 
is  evide'u.ly  the  young  bird  in  its  imperfect  coh)rs.  Whether  the  present 
species  be  found  as  far  south  as  Bra/.il,  as  these  writers  pretend,  I  am 
unable  to  say ;  but  from  the  great  extent  of  country  in  which  I  have 
myself  killed  an<l  examined  these  birds,  I  am  satisfied  that  the  present 
species,  now  described,  is  the  only  one  inhabiting  the  United  States. 

Since  the  foregoing  was  written,  I  have  had  an  opportunity,  by  the 
death  of  a  tame  Carolina  Parori\ict,  to  ascertain  the  fact  of  the 
poisonous  effects  of  their  head  and  intestines  on  cats.  Having  shut  up 
a  cat  and  her  two  kittens  (the  hitter  only  a  few  days  old),  in  a  room 
with  the  head,  neck,  and  whole  intestines  of  the  Paroquet,  I  found  on 
the  next  morning  the  whole  eaten,  except  a  small  part  of  the  bill.  The 
cat  exhibited  no  symptom  of  sickness;  and  at  this  moment,  three  days 
after  the  experiment  has  been  made,  she  and  her  kittens  are  in  their 
usual  health.  Still,  however,  the  effect  might  have  been  different,  had 
the  daily  food  of  the  bird  been  cockle  burrs,  instead  of  Indian  corn. 

Note. — From  Mr.  T.  Peale,  wlio  was  attached  to  the  expedition  com- 
manded by  Major  Long,  I  learn,  that  during  the  time  the  party  wintered 
at  Kugineer  Cantonment,  nearly  eight  hundred  miles  up  the  Missouri, 
they  observed  this  species,  at  various  periods,  from  the  beginning  of 
Decend)er,  until  the  miildle  of  February,  although  the  thermometer 
(Fahrenheit)  once  sunk  as  low  as  22°  below  zero.  Mr.  Peale  is  of 
opinion  that  the  Paroquet  migrates  rather  in  quest  of  food,  than  in 
consequence  of  the  cold.  Heing,  like  the  Wild  Pigeon,  a  bird  of  vigorous 
wing,  and  of  a  roving  disposition,  a  journey  of  a  few  hundred  miles  can 
occasion  it  but  a  very  little  trouble. — (7.  Ord. 


tmmi 


&^ 


'it  il- 


.ill 


il 


^y'  I 


Gknus  XIII.    COR V  US.    CROW. 
Species  I.     C.  CORAX. 

RAVEN. 

[Plate  UCXV.    Fig.  3.] 

Gmei,.  Syat.  i.,  p.  304. — Ind.  (hn.  p.  150 — />«  Corheau,  Briss.  2,  p.  S,  Pt  var. — 
BuFP.  Oh.  3,  p.  13.  PI.  ml.  49.').— Temm.  Man.  d' Ont.  p.  Wl.— Raven,  Lath. 
Gen.  Syn.  i.,  p.  3f>7.  Id.  sup.  p.  74.— I'enn.  Rrit.  Zonl.  No.  74.  Arct.  Zool.  No. 
134. — Sh.\w,  Gen.  Zool.  7,  p.  341. — Bewick,  i.,  p.  100. — Low,  Fauna  (hcadentU, 
p.  45.  - 

A  KNOWi.EDOE  of  this  celebrated  bird  bas  been  banded  down  to  us 
from  tbe  oiirlie.xt  ages  ;  and  itH  bistory  i.s  almost  coeval  witb  tbat  of  man. 
In  tbc  best  and  most  ancient  of  all  books,  we  learn,  tbat  at  tlic  end  of 
forty  day.s,  after  tbe  great  flood  bad  covered  tbe  eartb,  Noab,  wisbing 
to  ascertain  wbetber  or  not  tbe  waters  had  abated,  sent  fortb  a  Raven, 
wbicb  di<l  not  return  into  tbe  ark.*  Tbis  is  tbe  first  notice  tbat  is 
taken  of  tbis  species.  Tbough  tbc  Raven  was  declared  unclean  by  tbo 
law  of  Moses,  yet  we  are  informed,  tbat  when  tbe  prophet  Elijah  pro- 
vokeil  tbe  enmity  of  Abab,  by  prophesying  against  him,  and  hid  himself 
by  tbe  brook  Cberith,  tbe  Ravens  were  appointed  by  Heaven  to  bring 
him  bis  daily  food.f  The  color  of  the  Raven  gave  rise  to  a  siniilitudo 
in  one  of  the  most  beautiful  of  eclogues,  which  baa  been  perpetuated 
in  all  subsequent  ages,  and  which  is  not  less  pleasing  for  being  trite  or 
proverbial.  The  favorite  of  tbe  royal  lover  of  Jerusalem,  in  the  cn- 
tbu.><iasm  of  affection,  thus  describes  the  object  of  her  adoration,  in  reply 
to  tbc  following  question  : 

"  What  is  thy  beloved  more  than  another  beloved,  0  thou  fairest 
among  women  ?"  "  My  beloved  is  white  and  ruddy,  the  ebiefest  among 
ten  thousand.  His  bead  is  as  tbe  most  fine  gold,  Jiis  locks  are  bushy, 
and  black  as  a  Haven  f"X 

Tbo  above  mentioned  circumstances  taken  into  consideration,  ono 
should  8uppo.se  that  tbe  lot  of  tbe  .subject  of  this  (bapter  would  have 
been  of  a  different  complexion  from  what  bistory  and  tradition  inform 
ua  is  the  fact.     But  in  every  country,  we  are  told,  the  Raven  is  con- 


*  Genesis,  viii.  7. 

X  Song  of  Solomon,  v.  9,  10,  II. 


t  1  Kings,  zvii.  6,  6. 
(116) 


RAVEN. 


117 


Bidored  an  ominous  bird,  whose  croakings  forotoll  approaching  evil ;  and 
many  a  crooked  beldam  has  given  interpretation  to  these  oracles,  of  a 
nature  to  infuse  terror  into  a  whole  communitj.  Ilcnce  this  ill-fated 
bird,  immcmorially,  has  been  the  innocent  subject  of  vulgar  obloquy 
and  detestation. 

Augury,  or  the  art  of  foretelling  future  events  by  the  flight,  cries,  or 
motions  of  birds,  descended  from  the  Chaldeans  to  the  Greeks,  thence 
to  the  Etrurians,  and  from  them  it  was  transmitted  to  the  Romans.* 
The  craft}'  legislators  of  these  celebrated  nations,  from  a  deep  know- 
ledge of  human  nature,  Tnade  Buj)orstition  a  principal  feature  of  their  , 
religious  ceremonies ;  well  knowing  that  it  required  a  more  than  ordi- 
nary policy  to  govern  a  multitude,  ever  liable  to  the  fatal  influences  of 
passion  ;  and  who,  without  some;  timely  restraints,  would  burst  forth  like 
a  torrent,  whose  course  is  marked  by  wide-spreading  desolation.  Hence, 
to  the  purposes  of  polity  the  Raven  was  made  subservient ;  and  the 
Romans  having  consecrated  it  to  Apollo,  as  to  the  god  of  divination,  its 
flight  was  observed  with  the  greatest  solemnity  ;  and  its  tones  and  inflec- 
tions of  voice  were  noted  with  a  precision,  which  intimated  a  belief  in  its 
infallible  prescience. 

But  the  ancients  have  not  been  the  only  people  infected  with  this 
species  of  superstition ;  the  moderns,  even  though  favored  with  the  light 
of  Christianity,  have  exhibited  as  much  folly,  through  the  impious 
curiosity  of  prying  into  futurity,  as  the  Romans  themselves.  It  is  true 
that  modern  nations  have  not  instituted  their  sacred  colleges  or  sacer- 
dotal orders,  for  the  purposes  of  divination  ;  but  in  all  countries  there 
have  been  self-constituted  augurs,  whose  interpretations  of  omens  have 
been  received  with  religious  respect  by  the  credulous  multitude.  Even 
at  this  moment,  in  some  parts  of  the  world,  if  a  Raven  alight  on  a  vil- 
lage church,  the  whole  fraternity  is  in  an  uproar ;  and  Heaven  is  im- 
portuned, in  all  the  ardor  of  devotion,  to  avert  the  impending  calamity. 

Tlie  poets  have  taken  advantage  of  this  weakness  of  human  nature, 
and  in  their  hatids  the  Raven  is  a  fit  instrument  of  terror.  Shakspeare 
puts  the  following  malediction  into  the  mouth  of  his  Caliban : 


*  TImt  the  soionre  of  iiu>:ury  jh  very  nnoient,  wo  learn  from  tho  Hobrew  liiwfjiver, 
wlio  |irohiliit8  it,  an  well  an  I'very  otlicr  kind  of  divination.  Deut.  chap,  xviii, 
Tlu!  UoinatiH  derived  tlicir  knowludfje  of  augury  chiefly  from  the  Tuscansi  or  Etru- 
riauH,  wiio  prai'tiHcd  it  in  ttio  carlicMt  tinicH.  'I'hin  art  wan  known  in  Italy  before 
thi'  time  of  KoniuluM,  Nince  that  jirinee  did  not  eommence  the  building  of  Koine  till 
he  liad  taken  tho  auguriex.  The  Huccc88orB  of  ItomuluH,  from  a  conviction  of  the 
UHcfulnesH  of  the  Hc-ience,  and  at  the  namo  timo  not  t<)  render  it  contemptible  by 
becoming  too  familiar,  employed  tho  moHt  Hkilful  augurs  from  Etruria,  to  intro- 
duce tho  practice  of  it  into  their  religiouH  cercmonioB.  And  by  a  decree  of  the 
Hciiate,  Home  of  the  youth  of  the  best  families  in  Home  were  annually  sent  into 
TuHcany,  to  bo  inHtructed  in  this  art.  Vide  Cicuron.  do  Diviu.  Altio  Culmet,  aad 
the  Abb6  Banicr. 


:i 


l"i"" 


118  RAVBN. 

"  A*  wicked  dew,  lu  e'er  my  mother  bruxhod, 
With  liaieii'i  frathnr,  from  unwhuIoRoino  fen, 
Drop  on  you  both  I"* 

The  ferocious  wife  of  Mtichoth,  on  bi'inj^  adviwoil  of  the  approach  of 
Duncan,  whoso  death  who  hud  conspired,  thus  oxolaims : 

"The  Rnven  himsolf  in  hniirno, 
That  oronlcN  the  (atiil  tMitruneo  uf  Duncnn, 
Under  my  battlement*  !''t 

The  Moor  of  Venice  says : 

"  It  comog  o'er  my  memory, 
A»  doth  the  Haven  o'er  the  infected  hoUMO, 
Boding  to  all."t 

The  last  quotation  alludes  to  tlio  supposed  habit  of  this  bird's  flying 
over  those  houses  whieh  contain  the  sick,  whose  dissolution  is  at  hand, 
and  thereby  announced.  Thus  Marlowe,  in  the  Jew  of  Malta,  as  cited 
by  Malone : 

"  The  »ud  prcHiifjing  Itaren  toll* 
The  xick  miin'H  puMsimrt  in  her  hollow  beak. 
And  in  the  Nhitduw  of  the  silent  ni^ht 
Doth  Hliuke  contusion  from  her  Nublu  wing." 

But  it  is  the  jirovince  of  philosophy  to  dinpcl  those  illusions  which 
bewilder  the  mind,  by  pointinf^  out  the  simple  truths  which  Nature  has 
been  at  no  pains  to  conceal,  but  which  the  folly  of  mankind  has  shrouded 
in  all  the  obscurity  of  mystery. 

The  Raven  is  a  general  inhabitant  of  the  United  States,  but  is  more 
common  in  the  interior.  On  the  lakes,  and  particularly  in  tlie  neigh- 
borhood (tf  the  Falls  of  the  river  Niagara,  they  are  numerous  ;  and  it  is 
a  remarkable  fact,  that  where  they  so  abound,  the  Common  Crow,  0. 
corojtfc',  seldom  nuikes  its  appearance;  being  intimidated,  it  is  conjec- 
tured, by  the  superior  size  an<l  strength  of  tin;  fornuT,  -ir  by  an  antipa- 
thy which  the  two  species  manifest  towards  each  other.  Tliis  I  had  an 
opportunity  of  observing  myself,  in  a  journey  durin;;,  the  months  of 
August  and  lSe|)teniber,  along  the  lakes  Erie  and  Ontirio.  The  Ravens 
wore  seen  every  day,  prowling  ab(jut  in  search  of  tlie  dead  fish,  wliicli 
the  waves  are  continually  easting  ashore,  and  which  aft'ord  them  an 
abunilance  of  a  favorite  food  ;  but  I  did  not  see  or  hear  a  single  Crow 
within  .several  miles  of  the  lakes ;  and  but  very  few  through  the  whole 
of  the  Genesee  country. 


*  T«'iii|ic.'*t,  act  i.,  HiMMie  2. 
J  Othello,  uft  iv.,  scene  1. 


t  Act  i.,  scene  5. 


'i>i;'l!i 


RAYEN. 


119 


Tho  food  of  this  spocics  is  deuil  iiiiiniul  matter  of  all  kinds,  not  ex- 
cepting the  Diost  putrid  carrion,  which  it  dovuurs  in  common  with  the 
YulturvH ;  worniH,  grubs,  reptiles  and  Hladi-fish,  the  last  uf  which,  in  the 
manner  uf  the  Cruw,  it  drops  from  a  coimideruble  height  in  the  air,  on 
the  rocIcH,  in  order  to  broalc  the  .sIicIIh  ;  it  is  fond  of  birds'  eggs,  and  is 
ofteti  observed  sneaking  urouud  tite  farm-house,  in  search  of  the  eggs  of 
the  domestic  poultry,  wiiich  it  sucks  with  eagerness ;  it  is  likewise 
charged  with  destroying  young  ducks  and  chickens,  and  lambs  which 
have  been  yeaned  in  a  sickly  state.  The  Raven,  it  is  said,  follows  tho 
hunters  of  deer,  for  tlie  purpose  of  falling  heir  to  the  ofl'al;'*'  and  the 
huntsmen  are  obliged  to  cover  their  game,  when  it  is  left  in  the  woods, 
with  their  hunting  frocks,  to  protect  it  from  this  thievish  connoisHour, 
who,  if  he  iiave  an  opportunity,  will  attack  the  region  of  the  kidneys, 
and  mangle  the  saddle  without  ceremony. 

Hufl'on  says  that  "  the  Haven  pluckn  out  the  eyes  of  Buffaloes,  and 
then,  fixing  on  the  back,  it  tears  off  the  Jlesh  deliberately ;  and  what 
renders  the  ferocity  more  detestable,  it  is  not  incited  by  the  cravings  of 
hunger,  but  by  the  appetite  for  carnage ;  for  it  can  subsist  on  fruits, 
seed  of  all  kinds,  and  indeed  may  be  considered  as  an  omnivorous  ani- 
mal." This  is  mere  fable,  and  of  a  piece  with  many  other  absurdities  of 
the  same  agreeable,  but  fanciful  author. 

This  species  is  found  almost  all  over  the  habitable  globe.  We  trace  it 
in  tho  north  from  Norway  to  Greeidand,  and  hear  of  it  in  Kamtschatka. 
It  is  common  everywhere  in  Russia  and  Siberia,  except  within  the  Arctic 
circle  ;t  and  all  through  Europt?.  KolI)en  etnimerates  the  Raven 
among  the  birds  of  the  ('aj)e  of  tJood  Hope  ;J  De  Grandprd  represents 
it  as  numerous  in  IJengal,  where  they  are  said  to  bt  protected  for  their 
usefulness  ;§  and  the  unfortunate  La  I'erouse  saw  them  at  Baie  de 
ChantriiK,  on  the  east  coast  of  Tartary  ;  likewise  at  Port  des  Franeois  ; 
58°  37'  north  latitude,  and  lol)°  .00'  west  longitude;  and  at  Monterey 
Bay,  North  California.||  The  English  cireuninavigators  met  with  them 
at  Nootka  Sound  ;^  and  at  the  Sandwich  Islands,  two  being  seen  in  the 
village  of  Kakooa ;  also  at  Owhyiiee,  and  supposed  to  lie  adored  there, 
as  they  were  called  Eatoos.**  Our  intrepid  American  travellers,  under 
the  command  of  Lewis  and  Clark,  shortly  after  they  end)arked  on  tlio 
river  Columbia,  saw  abundance  of  iJ.nens,  which  were  attracted  thither 


*  TliiH  is  tho  C1180  in  tlioso  |iiirts  of  tho  Unitrd  SttttoH  whrro  the  dcor  arc  huntod 
witlioiit  dii^s :  wliero  these  are  employed,  tlicy  are  genonilly  rewarded  with  the 
..lliil. 

t  Latham.  %  Medley's  Kolben.  vol.  ii.,  p.  130. 

{  Voy.  in  tho  Indian  Ocean,  p.  14S. 

II  Voy.  par  I.  F.  G.  Do  la  IV-rouse,  ii.,  p.  129,  203,  443. 

\  Cook's  luiit  Voy.  ii.,  p.  230.     Am.  od.  **  Idem,  ill.,  p.  329. 


hm' 


M  ■ 

{■1 

2 

W' 

mm 

} 

UKU  RA\EN. 

by  the  immense  quantity  of  dead  salmon  which  lined  the  shores.*  They 
am  found  at  all  seasons  at  Hudson's  Bay  ;  f  arc  frequent  in  Mexico  ;  J 
and  it  is  more  than  probable  that  they  inhabit  the  whole  continent  of 
America. 

The  Raven  measures,  from  the  tip  of  the  bill  to  the  end  of  the  tail, 
twenty-six  inches,  and  is  four  feet  in  extent ;  the  bill  is  large  and 
strong,  of  a  shining  black,  notched  near  the  tip,  and  three  inches  long, 
the  setaceous  feathers  which  cover  the  nostrils  extend  half  its  length  ; 
the  eyes  are  black  ;  the  general  color  is  a  deep  glossy  black,  with  steel- 
blue  reflections ;  the  lower  parts  are  less  glossy ;  the  tail  is  rounded, 
and  extends  about  two  inches  beyond  the  wings ;  the  legs  are  two  inches 
and  a  half  in  length,  and,  with  the  feet,  are  strong  and  black  ;  the  claws 
are  long. 

This  bird  is  said  to  attain  to  a  g-'^at  age ;  and  its  plumage  to  be  sub- 
ject to  ohan  ;p,  from  the  influence  of  years  and  of  climate.  It  is  found 
in  Iceland  and  Greenland  entirely  white. 

The  Raven  was  the  constant  attendant  of  Lewis  and  Clark's  party, 
in  their  long  uiid  toilsome  journey.  During  the  winter,  at  Fort  Man- 
dan,  they  r,ere  observed  in  immense  numbers,  notwithstanding  the  cold 
was  so  excessive,  that,  on  the  seventeenth  of  December,  1804,  the  ther- 
mometer of  Fahrenheit  stood  at  45°  below  0. 

Like  the  Crow,  this  species  may  be  easily  domesticated,  and  in  that 
state  would  afford  amusement,  by  its  familiarity,  frolics  and  sagacity. 
But  such  noisy  and  mischievous  pets,  in  common  with  Parrots  and  Mon- 
keys, are  not  held  in  high  estimation  in  this  quarter  of  the  globe ;  and 
arc  generally  overlooked  for  those  universal  favorites,  which  either  grat- 
ify the  eye  by  the  neatness  or  brilliancy  of  their  plumag'  or  delight 
the  ear  by  the  simplicity  or  .ariety  of  their  song. 


•  Qms'b  Journal,  p.  153. 
X  Fernandez, 


t  Charlevoix.    Kalm.    Ilcarno'a  Journey. 


•ortMH 


Smciis  II.     CORVUS  COR  ONE.* 

CROW. 

[Flats  XXXV.    Fig.  8.] 

This  is  perhaps  the  most  generally  known,  and  least  beloved,  of  all 
our  land  birds ;  having  neither  melody  of  song,  nor  beauty  of  plumage, 
nor  excellence  of  flesh,  nor  civility  of  manners,  to  recommend  him :  on 
the  contrary,  he  is  branded  as  a  thi-jf  and  a  plunderer ;  a  kind  of  black- 
coated  vagabond,  who  hovers  over  the  fields  of  the  industrious,  fattening 
on  their  labors ;  and  by  his  voracity  often  blasting  their  expectat'ons. 
Hated  as  he  is  by  the  farmer,  watched  and  persecuted  by  almost  every 
bearer  of  a  gun,  who  all  triumph  in  his  destruction,  had  not  Heaven  be- 
stowed on  him  intelligence  and  sagacity  far  beyond  common,  there  is 
reason  to  believe  that  the  whole  tribe  (in  tuese  parts  at  least)  would  long 
ago  have  ceased  to  exist. 

The  Crow  is  a  constant  attendant  on  agriculture,  and  a  general  in- 
habitant of  the  cultivated  parts  of  1  '  A.merica.  In  the  interior  of 
the  forest  ho  is  more  rare,  unless  during  lue  season  of  breeding.  He  is 
particularly  attached  to  low  flat  corn  countries,  lying  in  the  neighbor- 
hood of  the  sea  or  of  large  rivers ;  and  more  numerous  in  the  northern 
than  southern  states,  where  Vultures  abound,  and  wi'\  whom  the  Crows 
are  unable  to  contend.  A  strong  antipathy,  it  is  nlso  said,  prevails  be- 
tween the  Crow  and  the  Raven,  insomuch  that,  where  the  latter  are 
numerous,  the  formerly  rarely  resides.  Many  of  the  first  settlers  of  the 
Genesee  country  informed  me,  that,  for  a  long  time.  Ravens  were  nu- 
merous with  them,  but  no  Crows ;  and  even  now  the  latter  are  seldom 
observed  in  that  country.  In  travelling  from  Nashville  to  Natchez,  a 
distance  of  four  hundred  and  seventy  miles,  I  paw  few  or  no  Crows,  but 
Ravens  frequently,  and  Vultures  in  great  numbers. 

The  usual  breeding  time  of  the  Crow,  in  Pennsy'.vanio,  is  in  M  rch, 
April,  and  May,  during  which  season  they  are  dispersed  over  the  woods 
in  pairs,  and  roost  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  tree  they  have  selected 
for  their  ncrft.  About  the  middle  of  March  they  begin  to  build,  gene- 
rally choosing  a  high  tree;  though  I  have  also  known  them  prefer  a 
middle  sized  cedar.     One  of  their  nests,  now  before  me,  is  formed  ex- 

*  Wo  f^ivo  tho  following  Bynonymos:  Cormia  coroHC,  Linv.  Si/st.  od.  10,  I.,  p. 
105. — (jImel.  Syst.  1,  p.  :il)5. — Lath.  Iiid.  Urn.  p.  151. — Tjchm.  Man.  d' Orn.  i., 
p.  108. 

(121) 


/ 


Ct  n 


it!    i 


122 


CROW. 


II! 


li 


ternally  of  sticks,  wet  mosa,  thin  bark  mixed  with  mossy  earth,  and 
lined  with  large  quantities  of  horse  hair,  to  the  amount  of  more  than 
half  a  pound,  some  cow  hair,  and  some  wool,  forming  a  very  soft  and 
elastic  bed.  The  eggs  are  four,  of  a  pale  green  color,  marked  with 
numerous  specks  and  blotches  of  olive. 

During  this  interesting  season,  the  male  is  extremely  watchful,  making 
frequent  excursions  of  half  a  mile  or  so  in  circuit,  to  reconnoitre  ;  and 
the  instant  he  observes  a  person  approaching,  he  gives  the  alarni,  when 
both  male  and  female  retire  to  a  distance,  till  the  intruder  has  gone 
past.  He  also  regularly  carries  food  to  his  mate  while  she  is  sitting ; 
occasionally  relieves  her;  and  when  she  returns,  again  .esigns  up  his 
post.  \t  this  time  also,  as  well  as  until  the  young  are  able  to  fly,  they 
preserve  uncommon  silence,  that  their  retreat  may  not  be  suspected. 

It  is  in  the  month  of  May,  and  until  the  middle  of  June,  that  the 

Crow  is  most  destructive  to  the  corn-fields,  digging  up  the  newly  planted 

grains  of  maize,  pulling  up  by  the  roots  those  that  have  begun  to  vegetate, 

and  thus  frequently  obliging  the  farmer  to  replant,  or  lose  the  benefit 

of  the  soil ;  and  this  sometimes  twice,  and  even  three  times,  occasioning 

a  considerable  additional  expense  and  inequality  of  harvest.     No  mercy 

is  now  shown  him.     Tlie  myriads  of  worms,  moles,  mice,  caterpillars, 

grubs  and  beetles,  which  he  has  destroyed,  are  altogether  overlooked  on 

these  occasions.     Detected  in   robbing  the  hens'  nests,  pulling  up  the 

corn,  and  killing  the  young  chickens,  he  is  considered  iis  an  outlaw,  and 

senionced  to  destruction.     IJut  the  great  difficulty  is,  how  to  put  this 

sentence  in  execution.     In  vain  the  gunner  skulks  along  the  hedges  and 

fences;  his  faithful  sentinels,  planted  on  some  commanding  point,  raise 

the  alarm,  and   disappoint  vengeance  of  its  object.     The  coast  again 

clear,  he  returns  once  more  in  silence  to  finish  the  repast  lie  had  begun. 

Sometimes  he  approaches  the  farm-house  by  stealth,  in  search  of  young 

chickens,  which  he  is  in  the  habit  of  snatching  off,  when  he  can  elude 

the  vigilance  of  the  mother  hen,  win    often   proves  too  f(>rmi<Iable  fttr 

him.     A  few  days  ago  a  Crow  was  observed  eagerly  attempting  to  seize 

some  young  chickens  in  an  orchard,  near  the  room  where  I  write ;  but 

these  clustering  close  round   the  hen,  she  resolutely  defended    them, 

drove  the  Crow  into  an  apple-tree,  whitiier  she  instantly  pursued  him 

with  such   spirit  and  intrepidity,  that  he  was  glad  to  make  a  speedy 

retreat,  and  al)andon  his  design. 

The  Crow  himself  sometimes  falls  a  prey  to  the  superior  strength  and 
ra[)aeity  of  the  (treat  Owl,  whoso  weapons  of  offence  are  by  far  the 
more  formidable  of  the  two.* 


•  "  A  few  years  a^o,"  sajs  an  obliging  corrospondent.  "  I  rosided  on  the  banks 
of  tli«  lliiiiMun,  ubmit  seven  inile»  froai  the  eity  of  New  York.  Not  fur  from  the 
place  uf  my  reKidciice  witH  a  pretty  thiok  wood  or  Hwiiiiip,  in  which  greiit  niiiiihers 
of  Crows,  who  used  to  cross  the  river  from  the  opposite  shori',  were  iiccustuiiad  to 


CROW 


128 


Towards  the  close  of  summer,  the  parent  Crows,  with  their  new 
families,  forsaking  their  solitary  lodgings,  collect  together,  as  if  by 
previous  agruenient,  when  evening  approaches.  About  an  hour  before 
sunset,  they  are  first  observed,  flying  somewhat  in  Indian  file,  in  one 
direction,  at  a  short  height  above  the  tops  of  the  trees,  silent  and  steady, 
keeping  the  general  curvature  of  tho  ground,  continuing  to  pass  some- 
times till  after  sunset,  so  that  the  whole  line  of  march  would  extend  for 
many  miles.  Tills  circumstance,  so  familiar  and  picturesque,  has  not 
been  overlooked  by  the  poets,  in  their  descriptions  of  a  rural  evening. 
Burns,  in  a  single  line,  has  finely  sketched  it 

''  Tho  black'ning  traia  of  Crows  to  their  repose." 

The  most  noted  Crow-roost  with  which  I  am  acquainted  is  near 
Newcastle,  on  an  island  in  the  Delaware.  It  is  there  known  by  the 
name  of  the  Pea-Patch,  and  is  a  low  flat  alluvial  spot,  of  a  few  acres, 


roost.  Returning  homeward  one  afternoon  from  a  shooting  excursion,  I  had  occa- 
sion to  pass  throui;h  this  swamp.  It  was  near  sunset,  and  troops  of  Crows  wore 
flying  in  all  directions  over  my  head.  While  engaged  in  observing  their  flight,  and 
endeavoring  to  select  from  among  them  an  oliject  to  shout  at,  my  ears  were  sud- 
denly assailed  by  the  distros.sful  cries  yf  a  Crow,  who  was  evidently  struggling 
under  the  taluns  of  a  merciless  and  rapacious  enemy.  I  hastened  to  the  spot  whence 
the  sound  proceeded,  and  to  my  great  surprise,  found  a  Crow  lying  on  the  ground, 
just  expiring,  and,  seated  u[K)n  the  body  of  the  yet  warm  and  bleeding  quarry,  a 
lan/e  broivii  Owl,  who  was  beginning  to  make  a  meal  of  the  unfortunate  robber  of 
corn-fields.  Perceiving  my  ai.proach,  he  forsook  Lis  prey  with  evident  reluctance, 
and  flew  into  a  tree  at  a  little  distance,  where  ho  sat  watching  all  my  movements, 
alternately  regarding,  with  longing  eyes,  the  victim  he  had  been  forced  to  leave, 
and  darting  at  me  no  very  friendly  looks,  that  seemed  to  reproach  me  for  having 
deprived  him  of  his  expected  regale.  I  confess  that  the  scene  before  me  was  alto- 
gether novel  and  surprising.  I  am  but  little  conversant  with  natural  history  ;  but 
I  had  always  understood,  tliat  the  depredations  of  the  Owl  were  confined  to  the 
Bin:itll<.r  birds,  and  animals  of  the  leaser  kind  ;  such  as  mice,  young  rabbits,  &c  ; 
and  (bat  ho  obtained  his  prey  rather  by  fraud  and  stratagem,  than  by  opt.'n  rapacity 
tr  :  viol  i.i'e.  I  was  the  more  confirmed  in  this  belief,  from  the  recollection  of  a 
pr  ■:  >;  .  '  I  Macbeth,  which  now  forcil''"  n-eiirred  to  my  memory.  The  courtiers 
of  '■'.  r  \  1'  ncan  are  recounting  to  each  other  tho  various  prodigies  that  preceded 
hit  du'  'i<  anJ  one  of  them  relates  to  his  wondering  auditors,  that 

'  An  Eagle,  tow'ring  in  his  pride  of  place. 
Was,  by  a  inoiisini;  Owl,  hawked  at  and  killed.' 

ISut  to  resume  my  relation.  That  the  Owl  was  the  murderer  of  the  unfortunato 
Crow,  there  could  be  no  doubt.  No  other  bird  of  prey  was  in  sight;  I  had  no^ 
fired  my  gun  since  I  entered  tho  wood  ;  nor  heard  any  one  else  shoot:  besides,  tin 
unequivocal  situaiion  in  w'  h  1  found  the  parties,  would  have  been  MiBicie  t  before 
any  '  twelve  ;rood  men  and  true,'  or  jury  of  Crows,  to  have  convicted  hiui  of  his 
guilt.  It  is  propei'  to  add,  that  I  avenged  tho  death  of  the  hapless  Crow,  by  u  well- 
!med  shut    .  the  felonious  robber,  that  extended  hiiu  breathless  on  the  ground." 


■    x  11 


issaafi 


m 


m§ 


*  CROW. 

elevated  but  a  little  above  high-water  mark,  and  covered  with  a  thick 
growth  of  reeds.  This  appears  to  be  the  grand  rendezvous,  or  head- 
quarters of  the  greater  part  of  the  Crows  within  forty  or  fifty  miles  of 
the  spot.  It  is  entirely  destitute  of  treus,  the  Crows  alighting  and 
nestling  among  the  reeds,  which  by  these  means  are  broken  dowi;  and 
matted  together.  The  noise  created  by  those  multitudes,  both  in  their 
evening  assembly,  and  re-ascension  in  the  morning ;  and  the  depreda- 
tions tbey  commit  in  the  immediate  neighborhood  of  this  grei'.t  resort, 
are  almost  incredible.  Whole  fields  of  corn  are  sometimes  laid  waste, 
by  thousands  alighting  on  it  at  once,  with  appetites  whetted  by  the  fast 
of  the  preceding  night;  and  the  utmost  vigilance  is  unavailing  to  pre- 
vent, at  least,  a  partial  destruction  of  this  their  favorite  grain.  Like 
the  stragglers  of  an  immense,  undisciplined,  and  rapacious  army,  they 
spread  themselves  over  the  fields,  to  plunder  and  destroy  wherever  they 
alight.  It  is  here  that  the  character  of  the  Crow  is  universally  exe- 
crated ;  and  to  say  to  the  :  vr  who  has  lost  his  crop  of  corn  by  these 
birds,  that  Crows  arc  excecu   i  .  ful  for  destroying  vermin,  would 

be  as  consolatory  as  to  tell  him  lad  just  lost  his  house  and  furni- 

ture by  the  flames,  that  fires  are  excellent  for  destroying  bugs. 

The  strong  attachment  of  the  Crows  to  this  spot  may  be  illustrated 
by  the  following  circumstance.  Some  years  ago,  a  sudden  and  violent 
north-cast  storm  came  on  during  the  night,  and  the  tide  rising  to  an 
uncommon  height  inundated  the  whole  island.  The  darkness  of  the 
night,  the  suddenness  and  violence  of  the  storm,  and  the  incessant 
torrents  of  rain  that  fell,  it  is  supposed,  so  intimidated  the  Crows,  that 
they  did  not  attempt  to  escape,  and  almost  all  perished.  Thousands 
of  them  were  next  day  seen  floating  in  the  river ;  and  the  wind  shifting 
to  the  north-west,  drove  their  dead  bodies  to  the  Jersey  side,  whore  for 
miles  they  blackened  the  whole  shore. 

This  disaster,  however,  seems  long  ago  to  have  been  repaired ;  for 
they  now  congregate  on  the  Pea-Patch  in  as  immense  multitudes  as 
ever.* 

So  universal  is  the  hatred  to  Crows,   that  few  states,  either  here  or 

•  Tht)  follow 'ng  is  extracted  from  a  late  number  of  a  newspaper  printed  in  that 
ncicliborhootl:  "  The  farmers  of  lletl  Lion  lliindretl  held  a  meetinj;  at  the  village 
of  St.  (Jeorjjes,  in  the  state  of  Delaware,  on  Monday,  the  6th  in»t.,  to  receive  pro- 
posals of  John  Deputy,  on  a  plan  for  banishing  or  destroyinfj  the  Crows.  .Mr. 
Deputy's  jilan,  lieinj;  heard  and  considered,  was  approved,  and  a  comiiiittee 
apiKiinted  to  contract  with  him,  and  to  procure  the  necessary  funds  to  curry  the 
same  into  effect.  Mr.  Deputy  proposes  that  for  five  hundre<l  dollars  he  will  engage 
to  kill  or  banish  the  Crows  from  their  roost  on  the  l*ea-I'atch.  and  give  security  to 
return  the  money  on  failure. 

"The  sum  of  five  hundred  dollars  being  thus  required,  the  committee  beg  leave 
to  'address  the  farmers  and  otliers  of  Newcastle  county,  and  elsewhere,  on  the 
subject." 


I'll 

ft 


CROW. 


126 


in  Europe,  have  neglected  to  offer  rewards  for  their  destruction.  In 
the  United  States  they  have  been  repeatedly  ranked  in  our  laws  with  the 
wolves,  the  panthers,  foxes  and  squirrels,  and  a  proportionable  premium 
offered  for  their  heads,  to  be  paid  by  any  justice  of  the  peace  to  whom 
they  are  delivered.  On  all  these  accounts  various  modes  have  been 
invented  for  capturing  them.  They  have  been  taken  in  clap-nets  com- 
monly used  for  taking  pigeons ;  two  or  three  live  Crows  being  previously 
procured  as  decoys,  or  as  they  ai  ^  called  Stool-crows.  Corn  has  been 
steeped  in  a  strong  decoction  of  hellebore,  which  when  eaten  by  them 
produces  giddiness,  and  finally,  it  is  said,  death.  Pieces  of  paper, 
formed  into  the  shape  of  a  hollow  cone,  besmeared  within  with  birdlime, 
and  a  grain  or  two  of  corn  dropped  on  the  bottom,  have  also  been 
adopted.  Numbers  of  these  being  placed  on  the  ground,  where  corn 
has  been  planted,  the  Crow- attempting  to  reach  the  grains  arc  instantly 
hoodwinked,  fly  directly  upwards  to  a  great  height ;  but  generally 
descend  near  the  spot  whence  they  rose,  and  are  easily  taken.  The 
reeds  of  their  roosting  places  are  sometimes  set  on  fire  during  a  dark 
night,  and  the  gunners  having  previously  posted  themselves  around,  the 
Crows  rise  in  great  uproar,  and  amidst  the  general  consternation,  by 
the  light  of  the  burnings,  hundreds  of  them  are  shot  down. 

Crows  have  been  employed  to  catch  Crows,  by  the  following  stratagem. 
A  live  crow  is  pinned  by  the  wings  down  to  the  ground  on  his  back, 
by  means  of  two  sharp,  forked  sticks.  Thus  situated,  his  cries  are 
loud  and  incessant,  particularly  if  any  other  Crows  are  within  view. 
These  sweeping  down  about  him,  are  instantly  grappled  by  the  prostrate 
prisoner,  by  the  same  instinctive  impulse  that  urges  a  drowning  person 
to  grasp  iit  everything  within  his  reacli.  Having  disengaged  the  game 
from  his  cluvches,  the  trap  is  again  ready  for  another  experiment ;  and 
by  pinning  down  each  captive,  successively,  as  soon  as  taken,  in  a  short 
time  you  will  probably  have  a  large  flock  screaming  above  you,  in  con- 
cert with  the  outrageous  prisoners  below.  Many  farmers,  however,  are 
content  with  hanging  up  the  skins,  or  dead  carcasses,  of  Crows,  in  their 
corn-fields  by  way  of  terrnr(Mn  ;  others  depend  altogether  on  the  gun, 
keeping  one  of  their  people  supplie<l  with  ammunition,  and  constantly 
on  the  lookout.  In  hard  winters,  the  Crows  suffer  severely,  so  that 
they  have  been  observed  to  fall  down  in  the  fields,  and  on  the  roads, 
exhausted  with  cold  and  hunger.  In  one  of  these  winters,  and  during 
a  long-contint'.ed  deep  snow,  more  than  six  hundred  Crows  were  shot  on 
the  carcass  of  a  dead  horse,  which  was  placed  at  a  proper  distance  from 
the  stable,  from  a  hole  of  which  the  discharges  were  made.  The  pre- 
miums awarded  for  these,  with  the  price  paid  for  the  quills,  produced 
nearly  as  much  as  the  original  value  of  the  horse,  besides,  as  the  man 
himself  assured  me,  saving  feathers  suflicient  for  filling  a  bed. 

The  Crow  is  easily  raised  and  domesticated ;  and  it  is  only  when  thus 


WMfll 


126 


CROW. 


r 


■\      I 


f    1 


rendered  unsuspicious  of,  nnd  placed  on  terms  of  familiarity  with,  man, 
that  the  true  traits  of  his  genius,  and  native  disposition,  fully  develop 
themselves.     In  this  state  he  soon  learns  to  distinguish  all  the  members 
of  the  family ;   flies  towards  the  gate,  screaming  at  the  approach  of  a 
stranger ;  learns  to  open  the  door  by  alighting  on  the  latch  ;  attends 
regularly  at  the  stated  hours  of  dinner  and  breakfast ;  which  he  appears 
punctually  to  recollect ;  is  extremely  noisy  and  loquacious  ;  imitates  the 
sound  of  various  words,  pretty  distinctly ;  is  a  great  thief  and  hoarder 
of  curiosities,  hiding  in  holes,  corners  and  crevices,  every  loose  article 
he  can  carry  off,  particularly  small  pieces  of  metal,  corn,  bread,  and 
food  of  all  kinds ;  is  fond  of  the  society  of  his  master,  and  will  know 
him  even  after  a  long  absence ;  of  which  the  following  is  a  remark- 
able instance,  and  may  be  relied  on  as  a  fact.     A  very  worthy  gen- 
tleman,  now  living   in    the   Genesee   country,   but   who,   at   the  time 
alluded  to,  resided  on  the  Delaware,  a  few  miles  below  Easton,  had 
raised  a  Crow,  with  whose  tricks  nnd  society  he  used  frequently  to  amuse 
himself.    This  Crow  lived  long  in  the  family  ;  but  at  length  disappeared, 
having,  aa  was  then  supposed,  been  shot  by  some  vagrant  gunner,  or  de- 
stroyed by  accident.    About  eleven  months  after  this,  as  the  gentleman, 
one  morning,  in  company  with  several  others,  was  standing  on  the  river 
shore,  a  number  of  Crows   happening  to  pass  by,  one  of  them  left  the 
flock,  and  flying  directly  towards  the  company,  alighte<l  on  the  gentle- 
man's shoulder,  and  began  to  gjibble  away  with  great  volubility,  as  one 
long-absent  friend  naturally  enough  docs  on  meeting  with  another.    On 
recovering  from  his  surprise,  the  gentleman  instantly  recognised  his  old 
acquaintance  ;  and  endeavored  by  several  civil  but  sly  raanceuvrcs  to  lay 
hold  of  him ;  but  the  Crow,  not  allogether  relishing   quite  so  much 
familiarity,  having  now  had  a  taste  of  the  sweets  of  liberty,  cautiously 
eluded  all  his  attempts ;  and  sudden'v  glancing  his  eye  on  his  distant 
companions,  mounted  in  the  air  after  them,  soon  overtook  and  mingled 
with  them,  and  was  never  afterward  seen  to  return. 

The  habits  of  the  Crow,  in  his  native  state,  are  so  generally  known, 
as  to  require  little  further  illustration.  His  watchfulnes.s,  and  jealous 
sagacity  in  distinguishing  a  person  with  a  gun,  are  notorious  to  every 
one.  In  spring,  when  he  makes  his  app^  ^'ance  among  the  groves  and 
low  thickets,  the  whole  feathered  songsters  are  instantly  alarmed,  well 
knowing  the  depredations  and  murders  he  commits  on  their  nests,  eggs 
and  young.  Few  of  them,  however,  have  the  courage  to  attack  him, 
except  the  King-bird,  who  on  these  occasions  teases  and  pursues  him 
from  place  to  place,  diving  on  his  back  while  high  in  the  air,  and  harass- 
ing him  for  a  great  distance.  A  single  pair  of  these  noble-spirited  birds, 
whose  nest  was  built  near,  have  been  known  to  protect  a  whole  field  of 
corn  from  the  depredations  of  the  Crows,  not  permitting  one  to  ap- 
proach it. 


CROW. 


127 


The  Crow  is  eighteen  inches  and  a  half  long,  and  three  feet  two  inches 
in  extent ;  the  general  color  is  a  shining  glossy  blue  blacl:,  with  purplish 
reflections  ;  the  throat  and  lower  parts  are  less  glossy ;  the  bill  and  legs 
a  shining  black,  the  former  two  inches  and  a  quarter  long,  very  strong, 
and  covered  at  the  base  with  thick  tufts  of  recumbent  feathers ;  the 
wings,  when  shut,  reach  within  an  inch  and  a  quarter  of  the  tip  of  the 
tail,  which  is  rounded ;  fourth  primary  the  longest ;  secondaries  scal- 
lopped  at  the  ends,  and  minutely  pointed,  by  the  prolongation  of  the 
shaft ;  iris  dark  hazel. 

The  above  description  agrees  so  nearly  with  the  European  species  as 
to  satisfy  me  that  they  are  the  same ;  though  the  voice  of  ours  is  said  to 
be  less  harsh,  not  unlike  the  barking  of  a  small  spaniel ;  the  pointedness 
of  the  ends  of  the  tail  feathers,  mentioned  by  European  naturalists,  and 
occasioned  by  the  extension  of  the  shafts,  is  rarely  observed  in  the  pre- 
sent species,  though  always  very  observable  in  the  secondaries. 

The  female  difters  from  the  male  in  being  more  dull  colored,  and  rather 
deficient  in  the  glossy  and  purplish  tints  and  reflections.  The  difference, 
however,  is  not  great. 

Besides  grain,  insects,  and  carrion,  they  feed  on  frogs,  tadpoles,  small 
fish,  lizards,  and  shell-fish  ;  with  the  latter  they  frequently  mount  to  a 
great  height,  dropping  them  on  the  rocks  below,  and  descending  after 
them  to  pick  up  the  contents.  The  same  habit  is  observable  in  the  Gull, 
the  Raven,  and  Sea-side  Crow.  Many  other  aquatic  insects,  as  well  as 
marine  plants,  furnish  them  with  food ;  which  accounts  for  their  being 
so  generally  found,  and  so  numerous,  on  the  sea-shore,  and  along  the 
banks  of  our  large  rivers. 


m'-'k' 


fill 

■Hill 


,*!*'• 


UW- 


Spkciis  hi.     CORVUS  COLUMRIANUS. 

CLARK'S    CROW. 

[FUt«  XX.    Fig.  2.] 

This  species  rcscniblps,  a  little,  the  Jackdaw  of  Europe  [Corvm 
monedula);  but  is  remarkable  for  its  fonuidable  claws,  which  approacli 
to  those  of  the  Falco  genus ;  and  would  seem  to  intimate,  that  its  food 
consists  of  living  animals,  for  whoso  destruction  these  weapons  must  be 
necessary.  In  conversation  with  different  individuals  of  Lewis  and 
Clark's  partv,  I  understood  that  this  bird  inhabits  the  shores  of  the 
Columbia,  and  the  adjacent  country,  in  great  numbers,  frequenting  the 
rivers  and  8ea.«horo,  probably  feeding  on  fish  ;  and  that  it  has  all  tlie 
gregarious  and  noisy  habits  of  the  European  species,  several  of  the 
party  supposing  it  to  be  the  same, 

The  figure  in  the  plate  was  drawn  with  particular  care,  after  a  minute 
examination  and  measurement  of  the  only  preserved  skin  that  was  saved. 

This  bird  mea.sures  thirteen  inches  in  length  ;  the  wings,  the  two  mid- 
dle tail  feathers,  and  the  interior  vanes  of  the  next  (except  at  the  tip) 
arc  black,  glossed  with  steel  blue ;  all  the  secondaries,  except  the  three 
next  the  body,  are  white  for  an  inch  at  their  extremities,  forming  a 
large  .spot  of  white  on  that  part,  when  the  wing  is  .^hut ;  the  tail  is 
rounded ;  yet  the  two  middle  feathers  are  somewhat  shorter  than  those 
adjoining  ;  all  the  rest  are  pure  white,  except  as  already  described  ;  the 
general  color  of  the  head,  neck,  and  body,  above  and  below,  is  a  light 
silky  drab,  darkening  almost  to  a  dove  color  on  the  breast  and  belly ; 
vent  white;  claws  black,  large,  and  hooked,  particularly  the  middle  and 
hind-claws;  legs  also  black;  bill  a  dark  horn  color;  iris  of  the  eye 
unknown. 

In  the  state  of  Georgia,  and  several  parts  of  the  Missi.ssippi  Terri- 
tory, I  discovere<l  a  Crow,*  not  hitherto  taken  notice  of  by  naturalists, 
rather  larger  than  the  present  species ;  hut  much  resembling  it  in  the 
form  and  length  of  its  wings,  in  its  tail,  and  particularly  its  claws. 
This  bird  is  a  constant  attendant  along  the  borders  of  streams  and  stag- 
nating ponds,  feeding  on  small  fish  and  lizards,  which  I  have  many 
times  seen  him  seize  vm  he  swept  along  the  surface.  A  well  preserved 
specimen  of  this  bird  was  presented  to  Mr.  Peale,  It  is  highly  proba- 
ble that,  with  these  external  resemblances,  the  habits  of  both  may  bo 
nearly  alike. 

*  The  Crow  aljove  alluded  to  la  the  Fish-Crow.     See  the  next  urtii-le. 

(128) 


.  /  ■  ^ 

Speciks  IV.     CORVUS  OSSIFRAGUS.  .     - 

FISH-CROW. 

[Plate  XXXVII.    Fig.  2.]  .- 

This  is  another  roving  inhabitant  of  our  coasts,  ponds,  and  river 
shores ;  though  a  much  less  distinguished  one  than  the  preceding,*  this 
being  the  first  time,  as  far  as  I  can  learn,  that  he  has  ever  been  intro- 
duced to  the  notice  of  the  worhl. 

I  first  met  with  this  species  on  the  coast  of  Georgia,  and  observed 
that  they  regularly  retired  to  the  interior  as  evening  approached,  and 
came  down  to  the  shores  of  the  river  Savannah,  by  the  first  appearance 
of  day.  Their  voice  first  attracted  my  notice,  being  very  different  from 
that  of  the  common  Crow,  more  hoarse  and  guttural,  uttered  as  if  some- 
thing stuck  in  their  throat,  and  varied  into  sevtTal  modulations  as  they 
flew  along.  Their  manner  of  Hying  was  also  unlike  the  others,  as  they 
frequently  sailed  about,  without  flapping  the  wings,  something  in  the 
manner  of  the  Raven ;  and  I  soon  perceived  that  their  food,  and  their 
mode  of  procuring  it,  were  also  both  different ;  their  favorite  haunts 
being  about  the  banks  of  the  river,  along  which  they  usually  sailed,  dex- 
terously snatching  up,  with  their  claws,  dead  fish,  or  other  garbage, 
that  floated  on  the  surface.  At  the  country  seat  of  Stephen  Elliot, 
Esq.,  near  the  Ogeeehce  river,  I  took  notice  of  these  Crows  frequently 
perching  on  the  backs  of  the  cattle,  like  the  Magpie  and  Jackdaw  of 
Britain  ;  but  never  mingling  with  the  common  Crows ;  and  diflering 
from  them  in  tins  particular,  that  the  latter  generally  retire  to  the 
shore,  the  reeds  and  marshes,  to  roost ;  while  the  P'ish-Crow,  always  a 
little  before  sunset,  seeks  the  interior  high  woods  to  repose  in. 

In  my  journey  through  the  Mississippi  Territory,  last  year,  I  resided 
for  some  time  at  the  seat  of  my  hospitable  friend.  Dr.  Samuel  Brown,  a 
few  miles  from  Fort  Adams,  on  the  Mississippi.  In  my  various  excur- 
sions there  among  the  lofty  fragr.ince-breathing  magnolia  woods,  and 
magnificent  scenery,  that  adorn  the  luxuriant  face  of  nature  in  those 
southern  regions,  this  species  of  Crow  frequently  made  its  appearance, 
distinguished  by  the  same  voice  and  habits  it  had  in  Georgia.  There  is 
in  many  of  the  ponds  there,  a  singular  kind  of  lizard,  that  swims  about 
with  its  head  above  the  surface,  making  a  loud  sound,  not  unlike  the 


•  The  Fi8h-IIi;,wk,  figured  in  the  same  plate,  and  which  immodiately  precedes  tho 
Fish-Crow,  in  tho  text  of  tho  original  edition. 
Vol.  I.-9  (120) 


-I 


\l 


I'.. 


m 


i 


130 


FISFI-CROW. 


harsh  jurring  of  a  door.     These  the  Crow  now   before  uh  would  fre- 
quently wi/.'.>  with  his  elaws,  as  he  flew  along  the  tsurface,  and  retire  to 
the  aumniit  of  a  dead  tree  to  enjoy  his  repast.     Here  I  also  observed 
him   a  pretty  constant   attendant  at   the  pens,   whore   the  cows   were 
usually  milked,  and  much  less  shy,  less  suspicious,  and  more  solitary, 
than  the  common  Crow.     In  the  county  of  Capo  May,  New  Jersey,  I 
again  met  with  tliese  Crows,  particularly  along  Egg  Harbor  river;  and 
latterly  on  the  Schuylkill  and  Delaware,  near  Philadelphia,  during  the 
Boaaon  of  shad  and  licniiig  fishing,  viz.,  from  the  mi(hlle of  March  till  the 
beginning  of  June.     A  small  party  of  these  Crows,  during  this  period, 
regularly  passed  liartrain's  gardens,  to  the  high  woods,  to  roost,  every 
evening  a  little  before  sunset,  and  as  regularly  returned  at  or  before 
sunrise  every  morning,  <lirectiiig  their  course  towards  the  river.     The 
fishermen  along  these  rivers  also  inform  me,  that  they  have  particularly 
remarked  this  Crow,  by  his  croaking  voice,  and  his  fondness  for  fish ; 
almost  always  hovering  about  their  fishing  places,  to  glean  up  the  re- 
fuse.    Of  their  manner  of  breeding  I  can  only  say,  that  they  separate 
into  pairs,  and  build  in  tall  trees,  near  the  sea  or  river  shore ;  one  of 
their  nests  having  been   built  this  season  in  a  piece  of  tall  woods,  near 
Mr.  Bcasley's,  at  (Jreat  Egg  Harbor.     The  male  of  this  nest  furnished  mo 
with  the  figure  in  the  plate,  which  was  drawn  of  full  size,  and  afterwards 
reduced  to  one-third  the  size  of  life,  to  correspond  with  the  rest  of  the 
figures  in  the  same  plate.     From  the  circumstance  of  si.x  or  seven  being 
usually  seen   here  together,  in   the  month  of  July,  it  is  probable  that 
they  have  at  least  four  or  five  young  at  a  time. 

I  can  find  no  description  of  this  species  by  any  former  writer.  Mr. 
Bartram  mentions  a  bird  of  this  tribe,  which  he  calls  the  Great  Sea- 
tide  Crow ;  but  the  present  species  is  considerably  inferior  in  size  to 
the  common  Crow;  and  having  myself  seen  and  examined  it  in  so  many, 
and  remotely  situated,  parts  of  the  country,  and  found  it  in  all  these 
places  alike,  I  have  no  hesitation  in  pronouncing  it  to  be  a  new  and 
hitherto  undescribcd  species. 

The  Fish-Crow  is  sixteen  inches  long,  and  thirty-three  in  extent; 
black  oM  o\er,  with  reflections  of  steel-blue  and  purple;  the  chin  is  bare 
of  feathers  around  the  base  of  the  lower  mandible;*  upper  mandible 
notched  near  the  tip,  the  edges  of  both  turned  inwards  about  the  middle; 
eye  very  small,  placed  near  the  corner  of  the  mouth,  and  of  a  dark  hazel 
color;  recumbent  hairs  or  bristles  large  and  long;  ear  feathers  promi- 
nent ;  first  prijnary  little  more  than  half  the  length  of  the  second,  fourth 

*  This  must  hiive  been  an  acciilental  ciroumstnnce,  as  I  have  «een  specimens,  the 
chin  of  wliieli  was  entirely  covprfil.  In  the  month  of  April,  I  shot  n  fine  mule,  on 
the  Deliiware,  netmtfen  inrhes  lonfi,  thirty-three  broad.  The  ohin  covered.  This 
i|>ecie8  is  f^really  infested  with  liee,  insomuch  that  when  one  handles  them,  one  gets 
.ooyered  with  these  disufrreeahle  vermin  — O.  Ord. 


MAGPIE. 


Wk 


the  longest ;  wings,  when  shut,  reach  within  two  inches  of  tlie  tip  of  the 
tail ;  tail  rounded,  and  seven  inches  long  from  its  insertion  ;  thighs  very 
long ;  legs  stout ;  claws  sharp,  long  and  hooked,  hind  one  the  largest, 
all  jet  Mack.     Male  and  female  much  alike. 

I  would  beg  leave  to  recommend  to  the  watchful  farmers  of  tho 
United  States,  that  in  their  honest  indignation  against  the  common 
Crow,  they  would  spare  tho  present  species,  and  not  shower  destruc- 
tion, indiscriminately,  on  their  black  friends  and  enemies ;  at  least  on 
those  who  some^imea  plunder  them,  and  those  who  never  molest  or  injure 
their  property. 


Spkcibs  V.     CORVUS  PIC  A, 

MAGPIE. 


[Plato  XXXV.    Fig.  2.] 
Arrl.  Zool.  No.  136.— Latb.  Syn.  i.,  392.— Burr,  iii.,  S.").     n.  Enl.  488.* 

Tins  bird  is  much  better  known  in  Europe  than  in  this  country,  whore 
it  has  not  been  long  discovered ;  although  it  is  now  found  to  inhabit  a 
wide  extent  of  territory,  and  in  great  numbers.  Tho  drawing  was  taken 
from  a  very  beautiful  .spocimon,  went  from  the  Mandan  nation,  on  the 
Missouri,  to  Mr.  JefTcrson,  and  by  that  gentleinan  to  Mr.  Pealc  of  this 
city,  in  whose  Museum  it  lived  for  several  months,  and  where  I  had  an 
opportunity  of  examining  it.  On  carefully  con\paritig  it  with  tho 
European  Magpie  in  the  same  collection,  no  material  diflTfrence  could 
bo  perceived.  The  figure  in  the  plato  is  reduced  to  exactly  half  the  size 
of  life. 

Tliis  bird  unites  in  its  character  courage  and  cunning,  turbulency,  and 
rapacity.  Not  inelegantly  formed,  and  distinguished  by  gay  as  well  as 
splendid  plumage,  he  has  long  been  noted  in  those  countries  where  ho 
commonly  resides,  and  his  haltits  and  mam  era  are  there  familiarly 
known.  lie  is  particularly  pernicious  to  plantations  of  young  oaks, 
tearing  up  the  acorns ;  and  also  to  birds,  destroying  great  numbers  of 
their  eggs  and  young,  even  young  chickens,  partridges,  grouse,  and 
pheasants.  It  i.-i  perhaps  on  this  last  account  that  the  whole  vengeanco 
of  the  game  laws  has  lately  been  let  loose  upon  him,  in  some  parts  of 


•  We  n<lil  tho  following  HynonyincH : — Corrns  pi'-a,  Li.vN.  Syst.  cd.  10,  i.,  p.  106. — 
Gjiki..  Sy.if.  I.,  p.  .'n;{.— liATH.  liid.  Orn.  p.  102.— La  Pie,  Briss.  Om,  vol.  ii.,  p. 
a.')— Tumi.  Man.  d'Oin.  i.,  p.  \Vi. 


132 


M  A  0  P I E. 


umi 


in 


!;i 


W 


Britain  ;  nn  appoarH  by  accomitH  from  that  quarter,  where  premiums,  it 
is  said,  are  (iflTored  for  hin  head,  as  an  arcli  poaclior ;  and  penalties  in- 
flicted on  all  those  who  permit  him  to  breed  on  their  premises.  Under 
tlic  liisb  of  such  rigorous  persecution,  a  few  years  will  prol)ably  exter- 
minate the  whole  tribe  from  the  island.  lie  is  al.so  destructive  to 
gardens  and  orchards;  is  noisy  and  restless,  almost  constantly  flying 
from  place  to  place ;  alights  on  the  backs  of  the  cattle,  to  rid  them  of 
the  larvjc  that  fester  in  the  skin  ;  is  content  with  carrion  when  nothing 
better  offers;  eats  various  kinds  of  vegetables,  and  devours  greedily 
grain,  worms,  and  insects  of  almost  every  description.  When  domes- 
ticated, he  is  easily  taught  to  imitate  the  human  voice,  and  to  articulate 
words  pretty  distinctly ;  has  all  the  pilfering  habits  of  his  tribe,  filling 
every  chink,  nook,  and  crevice  with  whatever  he  can  carry  off";  is  subject 
to  the  epilepsy,  or  some  similar  disorder ;  and  is,  on  the  whole,  a  crafty, 
restless,  and  noisy  bird. 

lie  generally  soU'cts  a  tall  tree  adjoining  the  farm-house,  for  his  nest, 
which  is  placed  among  tlie  highest  branches ;  this  is  largo,  composed 
outwardly  of  sticks,  roots,  turf,  and  dry  weeds,  and  well  lined  with  wool, 
cow  hair,  and  feathers ;  the  whole  is  surrounded,  roofed,  and  barrica- 
doed  with  thorns,  leaving  only  a  narrow  entrance.  The  eggs  arc  usually 
five,  of  n  grecTiish  color,  marked  with  nunurous  black  or  dusky  spots. 
In  the  northern  parts  of  Europe,  ho  migrates  at  the  commencement  of 
winter. 

In  this  country  the  Magpie  was  first  taken  notice  of  at  the  factories 
or  trading  houses  on  Hudson's  Bay,  where  the  Indians  used  sometimes 
to  bring  it  in,  and  gave  it  the  name  of  ITenrt-hird,  for  what  reason  is 
uncertain.  It  appears,  however,  to  be  rather  rare  in  that  quarter. 
These  circumstances  are  taken  notice  of  by  Mr.  Pennant  and  other 
British  naturalists. 

In  18C4,  the  exploring  party  under  the  command  of  Lewis  and  Clark, 
on  tiieir  route  to  the  Pacific  Ocean  across  the  continent,  first  met  with 
the  Magpie  somewhere  near  the  great  bend  of  the  Mis.souri,  and  found 
that  the  number  of  these  birds  increased  as  they  advanced.  Here  also 
the  Blue  Jay  disappeared  ;  as  if  the  territorial  boundaries  and  jurisdic- 
tion of  these  two  noisy  and  voracious  families  of  the  same  tribe  had 
been  mutually  agreed  on,  and  distinctly  settled.  But  the  Magpie  waa 
found  to  be  far  more  daring  than  the  Jay,  dashing  into  their  very  tents, 
and  carrying  off"  the  meat  from  the  dishes.  One  of  the  hunters,  who 
accompanied  the  expedition,  informed  me  that  they  frequently  atteiide<l 
him  wliile  he  was  engaged  in  skinning  and  cleaning  the  carcass  of  the 
deer,  bear,  or  bufl'alo  he  had  killed,  often  seizing  the  meat  that  hung 
within  a  foot  or  two  of  his  head.  On  the  shores  of  the  Kooskoos-ko 
river,  on  the  west  side  of  the  great  range  of  the  Rocky  Mountains,  they 
were  found  to  be  equally  numerous. 


l^A^ 


MAGPIE. 


188 


It  ia  highly  prohabU>  that  those  vast  plairiH  or  prairies,  abounding 
with  game  and  eattle,  frequently  killed  for  the  mere  hides,  tallow,  or 
oven  tnarrow-bones,  may  bo  one  groat  inducement  for  the  residency  of 
these  birds,  so  fond  of  flesh  and  carrion.  Even  the  rigorous  severity  of 
winter  in  the  high  regions  along  the  head  waters  of  Rio  du  Nord,  the 
Arkansas  and  Red  river,  seems  iiisuflicient  to  force  them  from  those 
favorite  haunts ;  though  it  appears  to  increase  their  natural  voracity  to 
a  very  uncommon  degree.  Pike  relates,  that,  in  the  month  of  Decem- 
ber, in  the  neighborhood  of  the  North  Mountain,  N.  lat.  41°,  VV.  long. 
34°,  Reaumur's  thermometer  standing  at  17°  below  0,  these  birds  were 
Boon  in  great  numbers.  "  Our  horses,"  says  he,  "  were  obliged  to  scrape 
the  snow  away  to  obtain  their  miserable  pittance ;  and  to  increase  their 
misfortunes,  the  poor  animals  were  attacked  by  the  Magpies,  who,  at- 
tracted by  the  scent  of  their  sore  backs,  alighted  on  them,  and  in  ilefi- 
anco  of  their  wincing  and  kicking,  picked  many  places  quite  raw.  The 
diflRoilty  of  procuring  food  rendering  those  birds  so  bold  as  to  light  on 
our  men's  arms,  and  eat  meat  out  of  their  hands."* 

The  Magpie  is  eighteen  inches  in  length ;  the  head,  neck,  upper  j)art 
of  the  breast  and  back,  aro  a  deep  velvety  black ;  primaries  brownish 
black,  streaked  along  their  inner  vanes  with  white ;  secondaries  rich 
purplish  blue;  greater  coverts  green  blue;  scapulars,  lower  i  ;irt  of  tho 
breast  and  belly,  white;  thighs  and  vent  black  ;  tail  long,  the  two  exte- 
rior feathers  scarcely  half  the  length  of  the  longest,  the  others  increas- 
ing to  the  two  middle  ones,  which  taper  towards  their  extremities.  The 
color  of  this  part  of  the  plumage  is  very  splendid,  being  glossy  green, 
dashed  with  blue  and  bright  purple  ;  this  last  color  bounds  the  green  ; 
nostrils  covered  with  a  thick  tuft  of  recumbent  hairs,  as  are  also  tho 
sides  of  tho  mouth ;  bill,  legs  and  feet,  glossy  black.  Tho  female  dif- 
fers only  in  tho  less  brilliancy  of  her  plumage. 

*  Pike'8  Journal,  p.  170, 


^Sm^^s^^^ 


mm 


r  3^ 


Spkcies  VI.     COR V US  CRISTATUS. 

BLUE    JAY. 

[Plate  I.    Fig.  1.] 

Linn,  Sjist.  i.,  p.  lOl),  No.  8,  cd.  10. —  Garrulun  eamidaisix  cairvlens,  Uriss.  ii.,  p. 
f)5. — Pica  (jlautlaria  nislala,  Klkin,  p.  t')l,  ',i. —  I.e  Gini  bleu  dc  I'Anif-^-i'jue  Sep- 
tnitrioiiale,  Ikur.  7  >  ,  p.  120.  I'l.  Enl.  [)->\,.—niue  Jay,  C.atesb.  Cm:  i.,  15.— 
Edw.  239.— Jrf<.  Zool.  ii.,  No.  138.— Lath.  >>/u.  i  ,  p.  38G,  20.— Bertram,  p. 
290. 

This  elegant  bird,  which,  as  far  as  I  can  learn,  is  peculiar  ti  North 
America,  i.s  distinf^uished  as  a  kind  of  beau  among  the  feathered  tenants 
of  our  woods,  by  the  brilliancy  of  his  dress ;  and  like  most  other  cox- 
combs, makes  himself  still  more  conspicuous  by  his  hMjuacity,  aisd  the 
odduess  of  his  tones  and  gestures.  The  Jay  measures  eleven  inches  in 
length;  the  head  is  ornamented  with  a  crest  of  light  blue  or  purple 
feathers,  which  }>o  can  elevate  or  depress  at  pleasure ;  a  narrow  lino  of 
"  black  runs  along  the  frontlet,  rising  on  each  side  higher  than  the  eye, 
but  not  passing  over  it,  as  Ct-iesby  bus  represented,  and  as  Penrant  and 
many  others  have  described  it;  back  and  n{>por  j)art  of  the  '.eck  a  fine 
light  purple,  in  which  the  blue  predominates  ;  a  collar  of  black  proceed- 
ing from  the  hind-head,  passes  with  a  graceful  curvr  down  each  side  of 
the  neck,  to  die  upper  part  of  the  breast,  where  it  forms  a  crescent; 
chin,  cheeks,  throat  and  belly,  wl.Ite,  the  three  former  slightly  tingeil 
with  blue;  greater  wing  coverts  a  rich  blue;  exterior  sides  of  the  pri- 
maries liglit  blue,  those  of  the  secondaries  a  deep  j)urple,  e.xci'pt  the 
three  feathers  next  the  body,  which  are  of  a  splendid  light  blue ;  all 
these,  except  the  j)rimaries,  are  beautifully  barred  with  crescents  of 
black,  and  tipped  with  white;  the  interior  sides  of  the  wing  feathers  arc 
dusky  black  ;  tail  long  and  <'uneiforni,  c()ni]»osed  of  twelvi'  feathers  of  a 
glossy  light  blue,  marked  at  half  inches  with  transverse  curves  of  black, 
each  feather  being  tipj)eil  with  white,  except  the  two  middle  ones,  which 
deepen  into  a  dark  purple  at  the  extremities.  Breast  anil  side.s  under 
the  wings  a  dirty  white,  faintly  stained  with  j)urple  ;  inside  of  the  mouth, 
the  tongue,  bill,  legs,  and  claws,  black  ;  iri.-,  of  the  eye  hazel. 

The  Blue  Jay  is  an  almost  universal  inhabitant  of  the  woods,  fre- 
quenting the  thickest  settlements,  as  well  .is  the  deepest  recesses  of  the 
forest,  tvliere  his  sipialling  voice  often  alarms  the  deer,  to  the  disap- 
pointnu  ''  and  mortification  of  tiie  hunter;  one  of  whom  inforniud  nie, 
that  !u.'   maile   it   a  point,  in  summer,  to   kill  every  Jay  he  could  meet 

(134) 


BLUE    JAY. 


18t 


with.  In  the  charming  season  of  spring,  when  every  thicket  poura 
forth  harmony,  the  part  performed  by  the  Jay  always  catches  the  ear. 
He  appears  to  be,  among  his  fellow-musicians  what  the  trumpeter  is  in 
a  band,  some  of  his  notes  having  no  distant  resemblance  to  the  tones  of 
that  instrument.  These  he  has  the  faculty  of  changing  through  a  great 
variety  of  modulations,  according  to  .  ;ie  particular  humor  he  happens 
to  be  in.  When  disposed  for  ridicule,  there  is  scarce  a  bird  whose  pecu- 
liarities of  song  he  cannot  tune  his  notes  to.  When  engaged  in  the 
blandishments  of  love,  they  resemble  the  soft  chatterings  of  a  duck; 
and  while  he  nestles  among  the  thick  branches  of  the  cedar,  are  scarce 
hcord  at  a  few  paces  distant;  but  no  sooner  does  he  discover  your  ap- 
proach, tlisin  he  sets  up  a  sudden  and  vehement  outcry,  flying  off,  and 
screaming  with  all  his  might,  as  if  he  called  the  whole  feathered  tribes 
of  the  neighborhood  to  witness  some  outrageous  usage  he  had  rjceived. 
When  he  hops  undisturbed  among  the  high  branches  of  aw  oak  and 
hickory,  they  become  soft  :ind  musical ;  and  his  calls  of  the  female,  a 
stranger  would  readily  mistake  for  the  repeated  creakings  of  an  un- 
greased  wheelbarrow.  All  these  he  accompanies  with  various  nods, 
jerks,  and  other  gesticulations,  for  which  the  whole  tribe  of  Jays  are  so 
remarkable,  tliat,  with  some  other  ])i'culiarities,  they  might  have  very 
well  justified  the  great  Swedish  naturalist  in  forming  them  into  a  sepa- 
rate genus  by  themselves. 

The  JJlue  Jay  builds  a  largo  nest,  frcquctitly  in  the  cedar,  sometimes 
in  an  apple-tree,  lines  it  with  dry  iil)rous  roots,  a'.d  lays  five  eggs,  of 
a  dull  olive,  spotted  with  brown.  The  male  is  particularly  careful  of 
not  being  heard  near  the  place,  making  his  visits  as  silently  and  secretly 
as  possible.  His  favorite  food  is  chestnuts,  acorns,  and  Indian  corn. 
He  occasionally  feeds  on  bugs  and  caterpillars,  and  sometimes  pays  a 
plundering  visit  to  the  orchard,  cherry-rows,  and  potato-patch  ;  and 
has  been  known,  in  times  of  scarcity,  to  venture  into  the  barn,  through 
openings  between  the  weatlier-boards.  In  these  cases  he  is  extremely 
active  and  silent,  and  if  surprised  in  tl'e  fact  makes  his  escape  with 
precipitation,  but  without  noise,  as  if  conscious  of  his  criminality. 

Of  all  birds  he  i.»  the  most  bitter  enemy  to  the  Owl.  No  sooner  has 
he  discovered  the  retreat  of  one  of  tliese,  than  he  summons  the  whole 
fiiitiiered  fratt-rnity  to  his  assistance,  who  surround  the  glimmering 
aolitaire,  and  attack  him  from  ail  sides,  raising  such  a  sIk  ut,  as  may 
be  heard,  in  a  still  day,  more  than  half  a  mile  ofl".  When  in  my  hunting 
excursions  I  have  passed  near  tiiis  scene  of  tumult,  I  have  imagined  to 
myself  that  I  lieard  tlie  insulting  ])arty  venting  tiieir  respective  cliarges 
with  all  the  virulency  of  a  IJillingsgate  mob;  the  owl,  meanwhile, 
returning  every  compliment  with  a  broad  goggling  stare.  The  war 
becomes   louder  and   louder,   and  the  Owl,  at  length  forced  to  betake 


WT 


186 


BLUE   JAY. 


himself  to  flight,  is  followed  by  the  whole  train  of  his  persecutors,  until 
driven  beyond  the  boundaries  of  their  jurisdiction. 

But  the  Blue  Jay  himself  is  not  guiltless  of  similar  depredations 
with  the  Owl,  and  becomes,  in  his  turn,  the  very  tyrant  ho  detested, 
when  he  sneaks  through  the  woods,  as  he  frequently  does,  and  among 
the  thickets  and  hedge-rows,  plundering  every  nest  he  can  find  of  its 
eggs,  tearing  up  the  callow  young  by  piecemeal,  and  spreading  alarm 
and  sorrow  around  him.  The  cries  of  the  distressed  parents  soon  bring 
together  a  number  of  interested  spectators  (for  birds,  in  such  circum- 
stances, seem  truly  to  sympathize  with  each  other),  and  he  is  sometimes 
attacked  with  such  spirit,  as  to  be  under  the  necessity  of  making  a 
speedy  retreat. 

He  will  sopctimes  assault  small  birds,  with  the  intention  of  killi  <g 
and  devouring  them ;  an  instance  of  which  I  myself  once  witness,  d, 
over  a  piece  of  woods,  near  the  borders  of  Schuylkill ;  where  I  saw  him 
engaged  for  more  than  five  minutes  pursuing  what  I  took  to  bo  a  species 
of  Motacilla,  wheeling,  darting,  and  doubling  in  the  air,  and  at  last, 
to  ray  great  satisfaction,  got  disappointed,  by  the  escape  of  his 
intended  prey.  In  timt^^  of  great  extremity,  when  his  hoard  or  maga- 
zine is  frozen  up,  buried  in  snow,  or  perhaps  exhauste<l,  he  bec<)mes  very 
voracious,  and  will  make  a  meal  of  whatever  c.arrioi,  or  other  animal 
substance  comes  in  the  way ;  and  has  been  found  regaling  himself  on 
the  bowels  of  a  Robin,  in  loss  than  five  minutes  after  it  was  shot. 

There  are,  however,  individual   exceptions  to  this  general  character 
for  plunder  and  outrage,  a  pronenoss  for  which  is  probably  often  occa- 
sioned by  the  wants  and  irritations  of  necessity.     A  Blue  Jay,  which  I 
have  kept  for  some  time,  and  witli  whom  I  am  on  terms  of  familiarity, 
is   in   reality  a  very  notable   example  of  mildness   of  disposition,   aiid 
sociability  of  manners.     An  accident  in  the  woods  first  jtut  me  in  pos- 
session of   this  bird,  while  in  full   plumage,   and  in  high  health  and 
spirits;  I  carried  him  home  with  me,  and  put  him  into  a  cage  already 
occupied  by  a  troM-winged  Woodpecker,  where  he  was  sahitcd  with  such 
rudeness,  and  received  such  a  drubbing  from  the  lord  of  tlie  manor,  for 
entering  his  premises,  that,  to  save  his  life,  I  was  obligeil  to  take  him 
out  again.     I  then   put  him   into  another  cage,  where   the  only  tenant 
was  a  female  Ordiard  Oriole.     She  also  put  on  airs  of  alarm,  as  if  she 
considered  herself  endangere<l  and  insulted  by  the  intrusion  ;  tiie  .lav, 
meanwhile,  sat  mute  and  motioidess  on  the  bottom  of  the  cage,  oitln  r 
dubious  of  his  own  situation,  or  willing  to  allow  time  for  the  fears  of  his 
neighbor  to  subside.      Accordingly,  in  a  few  minutes,  after  displaying 
various  threatening  gestures  (like  some  of  tliose  Indians  we  road  of,   in 
their  first  interviews  with  the  whites),  she  began  to  make  her  approaches, 
but  with  great  circumspection,  and  readiness  for  retreat.     Seeing,  how- 
ever, the  Jay  Ix-jrin   t,,  pick  uji  some  crumbs  of  broken  eh(**tnuts,  in  a 


BLUE   JAY. 


137 


humble  and  peaceable  way,  she  also  descended,  and  began  to  do  the 
same ;  but  at  the  slightest  motion  of  her  new  guest,  wheeled  round  and 
put  herself  on  the  defensive.     All  this  ceremonious  jealousy  vanished 
before  evening,  and  they  now  roost  together,  feed,  and  play  together,  in 
perfect  harmony  and  good  humor.     When  the  Jay  goes  to  drink,  his 
messmate  very  impudently  jumps  into  the  water  to  wash  herself,  throw- 
ing the  Wuter  in  show^ers  over  her  companion,  who  boars  it  all  patiently  ; 
venturing  now  ".nd  then  to  take  a  sip  between  every  splash,  without 
betraying  the  smallest  token  of  irritation.     On  the  contrary,  he  seems 
to  take  pleasure   in  his   little   fellow-prisoner,    allowing   her   to   pick 
(which  she  does  very  gently)  about  his  whiskers,  and  to  clean  his  claws 
from  the  minute  fragments  of  chestnuts  which  happen  to  adhere  to  them. 
This  attachment  on  the  one  part,  and  mild  condescension  on  the  other, 
may,  perhaps,  be  partly  the  effect  of  mutual  misfortunes,  which  are  found 
not  only  to  knit  mankind,  but  many  species  of  inferior  animals,  more 
closely  together ;  and  shows  that  the  disposition  of  the  Blue  Jay  may 
be  humanized,  and  rendered  susceptible  of  affectionate  impressions,  even 
for  those  birds,  which,  in  a  state  of  i\ature,  he  would  have  no  hesitation 
in  making  a  meal  of. 

He  is  not  only  bold  and  vociferous,  but  possess&s  a  considerable  talent 
for  mimicry,  and  seems  to  enjoy  great  satisfaction  in  mocking  and 
teasing  other  birds,  particularly  tlie  little  hawk  {F.  sparverius),  imitating 
his  cry  wherever  he  sees  him,  and  squealing  out  as  if  oauglit ;  this  soon 
brings  a  number  of  his  own  tribe  around  him,  who  all  join  in  the  frolic, 
darting  about  tlie  hawk,  aiid  feigning  the  cries  of  a  bird  sorely  wounded, 
and  already  under  the  clutches  of  its  devourer ;  while  othci  >  lie  con- 
cealed in  bushes,  ready  to  second  their  associates  in  the  attark.  Hut 
this  ludicrous  farce  often  terminates  tragically.  The  hnwk  singling  out 
one  of  the  most  insolent  and  provoking,  sweeps  uji  him  in  an  un- 
guarded moment,  and  offers  him  up  a  sacrifice  to  his  hur-  r  and  resent- 
ment. In  an  instant  the  tune  is  changed ;  all  their  buffoonery  vnni^'lioB, 
and  loud  and  incessant  screams  proclaim  their  disaster. 

Wherever  the  Jay  has  had  the  advantage  of  education  from  man,  hu 
has  not  only  shown  himself  an  apt  scholar,  but  his  suavity  of  nianners 
seems  e<(ualled  only  by  his  art  and  contrivances ;  though  it  must  be 
confessed  that  his  itch  for  thieving  keeps  ])ace  with  all  his  other  acquire- 
ments. Dr.  Mease,  on  the  authority  of  Colonel  Postell,  of  South 
Carol  na,  informs  me,  that  a  Hlue  .Jay,  which  was  brought  up  in  the 
family  of  the  latter  gentlemai!,  had  all  the  tricks  and  lo(|uacity  of  a 
parrot ;  pilfered  everything  he  could  conveniently  carry  off,  and  hid 
them  in  holes  and  crevices;  answered  to  his  name  with  great  sociability, 
when  called  on;  could  articulate  a  number  of  words  pretty  distinctly; 
ami  when  he  heard  anv  uncommon  noise  or  loud  talkintr,  seemed 
inij)atient  to  contribute  his  share  to  the  general  festivity  (us  he  probably 


188 


BLUE   JAY. 


thought  it),   by  a  display  of  all   the  oratorial   powers  he  waa  pos- 
sesac  J  of.  ' 

Mr.  Bartram  relates  an  instance  of  the  Jay's  sagacity,  worthy  of 
remark.  "  Having  caught  a  Jay  in  the  winter  season,"  says  he,  "  I 
turned  him  loose  in  the  green-house,  and  fed  him  with  corn  (zea,  maize), 
the  heart  of  which  they  are  very  fond  of.  This  grain  being  ripe  aiid 
hard,  the  bird  at  fir.^t  found  a  difficulty  in  breaking  it,  as  it  would  start 
from  his  bill  when  he  struck  it.  After  looking  about,  and  as  if  con- 
sidering for  a  moment,  he  picked  up  his  grain,  carried  and  j)laced  it 
close  up  in  a  corner  on  the  shelf,  between  the  wall  and  a  plant-box, 
where  being  confined  on  three  sides  he  soon  eftected  his  purpose,  and 
continued  afterwards  to  make  use!  of  this  same  practical  exi)edieiit. 
The  Jay,"  continues  this  judicious  observer,  "is  one  of  the  most  useful 
agents  in  the  economy  of  nature,  for  disseminating  forest  trees,  and 
other  ruciferous  and  hard-seedtd  vegetables  on  which  they  feed.  Their 
chief  employment  during  the  autumnal  sease'i  is  foraging  to  supply 
their  winter  stores.  In  performing  this  necessary  duty,  they  drop 
abundance  of  seed  in  their  flight  over  fields,  hedge^s,  and  by-fences, 
where  they  alight  to  dejxisit  them  in  the" post  holes,  &c.  It  is  rennirk- 
able  what  numbers  of  young  trees  rise  up  in  fields  and  pastures  after  a 
wet  winter  and  spring.  These  birds  alone  arc  capable,  in  a  few  years' 
time,  to  replant  all  the  cleared  lands."* 

Tiie  Blue  Jays  seldom  associate  in  any  considerable  numbers,  except 
in  the  months  of  .September  and  October,  when  they  hover  about  in 
scattered  parties  of  from  forty  to  fifty,  visiting  the  oaks,  in  scapch  of 
their  favorite  acorns.  At  this  season  they  are  less  shy  than  usual ;  iuul 
keep  chattering  to  each  other  in  a  variety  of  strange  and  ijucrulous 
notes.  1  have  counted  fifty-three,  but  never  more,  at  one  time ;  and 
these  getierally  following  each  other  in  straggling  irregularity  from  one 
range  of  woods  to  another.  Yet  we  are  told  by  the  learned  Dr.  Latham, 
and  his  statement  has  l)een  eopieil  into  many  respectal)lt'  European  jiub- 
lications,  that  the  Blue  Jays  of  North  America  •*  often  unite  into  tiocks 
of  twentv  Miousand  at  least  I  which  aliiihtinn  on  a  field  of  ten  or  twelve 
acres,  80(  n  lay  waste  the  whole."t  If  this  were  really  so,  these  birds 
would  j  »stly  deserve  the  character  he  gives  them,  of  being  the  most 
destru'.tive  specie?*  in  America.  But  I  will  venture  the  issertion,  that 
the  tribe  Oriolug  phaiiiceus,  or  red-winged  Blackliirds,  in  the  environs 
of  the  river  Delaware  alone,  devour  and  destroy  more  Indian  corn  than 
the  wlude  Blue  .lays  of  North  Atnerica.  As  to  their  assemlding  in 
such  immense  multitudes,  it  may  be  sufficient  to  observe,  that  a  flock  of 


♦  I<otter  of  Mr.  Willium  Bartrum  io  the  Author. 

t  Synopgis  of  Binln,  vol.   i.,  p.  .JST.     S'jo  aho  EncycIopiMliii   Britannica,   art. 
Corvus. 


BLUE   JAY. 


189 


Blue  Jays  of  twenty  thousand,  would  bo  as  extraordinary  an  appearance 
in  America,  as  the  same  number  of  Magpies  or  Cuckoos  would  be  in 
Britain. 

It  has  been  frequently  said,  that  numbers  of  birds  are  common  to 
the  United  States  and  Europe ;  at  present,  however,  I  am  not  certain 
of  many.     Comparing  the   best  descriptions  and  delineations  of  the 
European  ones  with  those  of  our  native  birds,  said  to  be  of  the  same 
species,  either  the  former  arc  very  erroneous,  or  the  diiference  of  plu- 
mage and  habits  in  the  latter  justify  us  in  considering  a  great  proportion 
of  them  to  be  really  distinct  species.     Be  tliis  however  as  it  may,  the 
Blue  Jay  appears  to  belong  exclusively  to  North  America.     I  cannot 
6nd  it  mentioned  by  any  writer  or  traveller  among  the  birds  nf  Guiana, 
Brazil,  or  any  other  part  of  South  America.     It  is  equally  unknown  in 
Africa.     In  Europe,  and  even  in  the  eastt;rn  parts  of  Asia,  it  is  never 
seen  in  its  wild  state.     To  ascertain  the  exact  limits  of  its  native  regions 
would  be  difficult.     These,  it  is  highly  probable,  will  be  found  to  be 
bounded  by  the  extremities  of  the  temperate  zone.     Dr.  Latham  has 
indeed  asserted,  that  the  Blue  Jay  of  America  is  not  found  farther 
north  than  the  town  of  Albany.*     This,  however,  is  a  mistake.     They 
arc  common  in  the  Eastern   States,  and  are  mentioned  by  Dr.  Belknap 
in  his  enumeration  of  the  birds  of  New  Ilanipsliire.f     They  are  also 
nat'.ves  ot  Newfoundland.     1  myself  have  seen  tluiu  in  Upper  Canada. 
Blue  Jays  and  Yellow-birds  were  found  by  Mr.  McKeiizie,  when  on  his 
journey  across  the  continent,  at  the  head  waters  of  the  Unjigah,  or 
Peace  river,  in  N.  hit.  54°,  W.  long.  1"21°,  on  the  west  side  of  the  great 
range  of  Stony  Mountains.^    Steller,  wiio  in  1741  accompanied  Captain 
Behring  in  his  expedition  for  the  discovery  of  tlie  north-west  coast  of 
America,  and  who  wrote  the  journal  of  the  voyage,   relates,  that  ho 
himself  went  on  ,-ihore  near  Cape  St.  Ellas,  in  N.  hit.  C>S°  28'  W.,  long. 
141"  46',  according  to  his  estimation,  wliere  he  observed  several  species 
of  birds  7iot  known  in  Siberia;    ami  one,  in  particular,  describe<l  by 
Catesby  under  the   name  of  tlie   Blue  Jay.§     Mr.   William   Burtram 
informs  me,  that  they  are   numerous  in   the   penmsuhi  of  Floriila,  and 
that  he  also  found  tiiem  at  Natchez,  on  the  Mississippi.      Captains  Lewis 
and  Clark,  and  their  intrepid  companions,  in  their  memoral)U'  expedi- 
tion across  the  continent  of  Norfli  America  to  the  Pacific  Ocean,  con- 
tinued to  see  Blu(!  Jays  for  six  humlred  miles  up  (he  Missouri. ||      From 
these  accounts  it  follows,  that  this  species  occupies,  generally  or  par- 


*  Synops'm,  vol.  i.,  p.  .'{S7. 

t  Hint.  N.  Iliuiiii.  vol.  iii.,  p.  ItlU. 

X  V(iyup>  IVuiii  .Moiitroiil,  \(>..  p.  'JIG,  quarto,  Loud.  18U1. 

j  iSco  Stullor'H  Journal  iiimd  I'lilliiH. 

II  Thix  fuut  I  had  from  Captain  Luwis. 


li 


Mi^ 


(  s 


f 


f 


'i    Hii 


140 


CANADA   JAY. 


tially,  an  extent  of  country  stretching  upwards  of  seventy  iegrees  from 
east  to  west,  and  more  than  thirty  degrees  from  north  to  south  ;  though, 
from  local  circumstances,  there  may  be  intermediate  tracts  in  this 
immense  range,  which  they  seldom  visit. 


Spkciis  VII.     CORVUS  CANADENSIS. 

CANADA  JAY. 

[Plate  XXI.    Fig.l.] 

Linn.  Syst.  \b^.— Cinereous  Crow,  Arc(.  Zool.  p.  248,  No.  1.37.— LAtnAM,  i.,  389.— 
Ia  Geay  Brun  de  Canada,  Brisson,  ii.,  54.— Buffon,  hi.  117. 

Weue  I  to  adopt  the  theoretical  reasoning  of  a  celebrated  French 
naturalist,  I  might  pronounce  this  bird  to  be  a  debiused  descendant  from 
the  common  Blue  Jay  of  the  United  States,  degenerated  by  the  influ- 
ence of  the  bleak  and  chilling  regions  of  Canada ;  or  perhaps  a  spurious 
production,  between  the  Blue  Jay  and  the  Cat-bird ;  or  what  would  bo 
more  congenial  to  the  Count's  ideas,  trace  its  degradation  to  the  circum- 
stance of  migrating,  some  thousand  years  ago,  from  the  genial  shores 
of  Europe,  where  nothing  like  degeneracy  or  degradation  ever  takes 
place  among  any  of  God's  creatures.  I  shall,  however,  on  the  presetit 
occasion,  content  myself  with  stating  a  few  particulars  better  supported 
by  facts,  and  more  consonant  to  the  plain  homespun  of  connnon  sense. 

Tliis  species  inhabits  the  country  e.\tending  from  Hudson's  Bay,  and 
probably  farther  north,  to  the  river  St.  Lawrence;  ai.-^o  in  winter  the 
inland  parts  of  the  district  of  Maine,  and  northern  tracts  of  the  states 
of  Vermont  and  New  York.  When  the  sea-son  is  very  severe,  with  deep 
snow,  they  sometimes  advance  farther  south ;  but  generally  return 
northward  as  the  weather  becomes  more  mild. 

The  character  given  of  this  bird  by  the  people  of  those  parts  of  the 
country  where  it  inhabits,  is.  that  it  feeds  on  black  moss,  worm.s,  and 
even  flesh  ; — wheri  near  habitations  or  tent.s,  pilfers  everything  it  can 
come  at — is  bold,  and  comes  even  into  the  tent  to  eat  meat  out  of  the 
dishes ;  watches  the  hunters  while  baiting  their  traps  for  martens,  and 
devours  the  bait  as  soon  as  their  backs  arc  turned  ;  that  they  breed 
early  in  spring,  building  their  nests  on  pine  trees,  fmining  them  of  sticks 
and  grass,  and  lay  blue  I'ggs ;  that  they  have  twa,  rarely  tliree  young 
at  a  time,  which  are  at  first  (juite  i)lack,  and  continue  so  for  some  time; 
that  they  fly  in  pairs ;  lay  up  hoards  of  berries  in  hollow  trees ;  are 
seldom  seen  in  January,  unless  near  houses ;  are  a  kind  of  Mock-bird  ; 
and  when  caught  pine  away,  though  their  appetite  never  fails   them  ; 


-V^t'."^''^.>;.^iai.!;Ai-M...^.'- 


CANADA    JAY. 


141 


notwithstanding  all  which  ingenuity  and  good  qualities,  they  are,  as  we 
are  informed,  detested  by  the  natives."* 

The  only  individuals  of  this  species  that  I  ever  met  with  in  the  United 
States  were  on  the  shores  of  the  Mohawk,  a  short  way  above  the  Little 
Falls.  It  was  about  the  last  of  November,  and  the  ground  deeply 
covered  with  snow.  There  were  three  or  four  in  company,  or  within  a 
small  distance  of  each  other,  flitting  leisurely  along  the  road  side,  keep- 
ing up  a  kind  of  low  chattering  with  one  another,  and  seemed  nowise 
apprehensive  at  my  approach.  I  soon  secured  the  whole;  from  the 
best  of  which  the  drawing  in  the  plate  was  carefully  made.  On  dissec- 
tion I  found  their  stomachs  occupied  by  a  few  spiders  and  the  aureliae 
of  some  insects.  I  could  perceive  no  difference  between  the  plumage  of 
the  male  and  female. 

The  Canada  Jay  is  eleven  inches  long,  and  fifteen  in  extent ;  back, 
wings,  and  tail,  a  dull  leaden  gray,  the  latter  long,  cuneiform,  and  tipped 
with  dirty  white ;  interior  vanes  of  the  wings  brown,  and  also  partly 
tipped  with  white ;  plumage  of  the  head  loose  and  prominent ;  the  fore- 
head and  featlicrs  covering  the  nostril,  as  well  as  the  whole  lower  parts, 
a  dirty  brownish  white,  which  also  passes  round  the  bottom  of  the  neck 
like  a  collar  ;  part  of  the  crown  and  hind-head  black  ;  bill  and  legs  also 
black  ;  eye  dark  hazel.  The  whole  plumage  on  the  back  is  long,  loose, 
unwebbcd,  and  in  great  abundance,  as  if  to  protect  it  from  the  rigors 
of  the  regions  it  inhabits. 

A  gentleman  of  observation,  who  resided  for  many  years  near  the 
North  river,  not  far  from  Hudson,  in  the  state  of  New  York,  informs 
me,  that  he  has  particularly  observed  this  bird  to  arrive  there  at  the 
commencement  of  cold  weather — he  has  often  remarked  its  solitary 
habits ;  it  seeme<l  to  seek  the  most  unfrequented  shaded  retreats,  keep- 
ing almost  constantly  on  the  ground,  yet  would  sometimes,  towards 
evening,  mount  to  the  top  of  a  small  tree,  and  repeat  its  notes  (which 
a  little  resemble  those  of  the  Baltimore)  for  a  quarter  of  an  hour  to- 
gether ;  and  this  it  generally  did  immediately  before  snow,  or  falling 
weather.  ' 


•  IIearm's  Journey,  p.  405. 


iiiiifl 

■ 

1 

m 

Genus  XV.    ORIOLUS* 
Spec  IKS  I.     OIUOLUS  BALTIMORl'S.\ 

BALTIMORE  ORIOLE. 

[PlatA  I.    Fig  3— Hale] 

Linn.  Sy.tt.  1.  p.  U2,  W.—hlenm  minor,  Bhihs.  ii  ,  p.  10'.),  pi.  12.  fif;.  \.—Le  Hal 
timore.  Biff,  hi.,  p.  231.  /'/.  Knl.  50r.,  tij;.  \.— Haiti  more  /y/iv/,  OATKsn.  Car. 
1,  A^.—Arct.  Zool.  II.,  p.  142.— Lath.  Si/n.  ii.,  p.  432.  l<t.— Bartram,  p.  2yO. 

Tins  is  a  bird  of  passage,  arriving  in  Pennsylvania,  from  the  south, 
about  the  beginning  of  Maj,  and  departing  towarils  the  latter  end  of 
August,  or  beginning  of  September.  From  the  singularity  of  its  colors, 
the  con.strue(ion  of  its  nest,  and  its  preferring  the  apple-trees,  weeping- 
willow;;,  walnut,  and  tulip ■tree.'^,  adj>iniiig  the  farm-house,  to  build  on, 
it  is  generally  known,  and,  as  usual,  honored  with  a  variety  of  names, 
such  as  Ilang-nest,  Ilanging-bird,  (lolden  Robin,  Fire-bird  (from  the 
bright  orange  seen  tlinmgh  the  green  leaves,  resembling  a  flash  of 
fire),  &c.,  but  more  generally  the  Haltimore-bird,  so  named,  as  Cate.sby 
informs  us,  from  its  colors,  which  are  black  and  orange,  being  those  of 
the  arms  or  livery  of  Lord  Baltimore,  formerly  proprietary  of  Maryland. 

The  Baltimore  Ori(dc  is  seven  inches  in  length  ;  liill  almost  straight, 
strong,  t.apering  to  a  sharj)  point,  black,  and  sometimes  leail  colored 
above,  the  lower  mandible  light  blue  towards  the  base.  Head,  throat, 
upper  part  of  the  back  and  wings,  black  ;  lower  part  of  the  back,  rump, 
and  whole  under  parts,  a  bright  orange,  deepening  into  vermilion  on 
the  breast  ;  the  black  on  the  shoulders  is  aLso  divided  by  a  band  of 
orange;  exterior  edges  of  the  greater  wing-coverts,  as  well  as  the  edges 
of  the  secondaries,  and  part  of  those  of  the  primaries,  white  ;  the  tail 
feathers,  under  the  coverts,  orange;  the  two  middle  ones  thence  to  the 
tips  are  black,  the  next  five,  on  each  side,  black  near  the  coverts,  and 
orange  toward  the  extremities,  .so  disposed,  that  when  the  tail  is  ex- 
panded, and  the  coverts  removed,  the  l)lack  appears  in  the  form  of  a 
pyramid,  supported  on  an  arch  of  orange,  tail  slightly  forked,  the  ex- 


*  ThJH  penu»  has  been  variously  divided  by  moiiern  ornithologists.  Teinniinek 
has  sepiirated  it  into  four  sections,  viz.  :  Cassicim,  Qiiincuht,  Irtfrii.i,  and  Fmheri- 
toide*.     The  two  species  descriljcil  liy  Wilson,  belonj;  to  the  third  section,  fil<rii». 

t  Corariat  Oalbula,  Linn.  Si/.il.  cd.  10,  torn.  I.,  lOH.—  Oriotu.i  liullimorn,  Lath. 
lad.  (hn.  180. 

(142) 


BALTIMORE    ORIOLE. 


148 


torior  foatlior  on  each  side  a  quarter  of  on  inch  filiortcr  than  the  others  ; 
legs  and  feet  light  blue  or  lead  color ;  iris  of  the  eyo  hazel. 

The  female  has  the  head,  throat,  upper  part  of  the  neck  and  back,  of 
a  dull  black,  each  feather  being  skirted  with  olive  yellow,  lower  nart  of 
the  back,  rump,  upper  tail-coverts,  and  whole  lower  parts,  orange  yellow, 
but  much  duller  than  that  of  the  male ;  the  whole  wing  feathers  are  of 
a  deep  dirty  brown,  except  the  quills,  which  are  exteriorly  edged,  and 
the  greater  wing-coverts,  and  next  superior  row,  which  are  broadly 
tipped,  with  a  dull  yellowish  white  ;  tail  olive  yellow  ;  in  some  specimens 
the  two  middle  feathers  have  been  found  partly  black,  in  others  wholly 
so ;  the  black  on  the  throat  does  not  descend  so  far  as  in  the  male,  is 
of  a  lighter  tinge,  and  more  irregular ;  bill,  legs,  and  claws  light  blue. 

Buffon,  and  Latham,  have  both  described  the  male  of  the  bastard  Bal- 
timore {Oriohia  apuriua),  as  the  female  Baltimore.  Pennant  has  com- 
mitted the  same  mistake ;  and  all  the  ornithologists  of  Europe,  with 
whose  works  I  am  acquainted,  who  have  undertaken  to  figure  and 
describe  these  birds,  have  mistaken  the  proper  males  and  females,  and 
confounded  the  two  species  together  in  a  very  confused  and  extraor- 
dinary manner,  for  which  indeed  we  ought  to  pardon  them,  on  account 
of  their  distance  from  the  native  residence  of  these  birds,  and  the  strange 
alterations  of  color  which  the  latter  are  subject  to. 

Tliis  obscurity  T  have  endeavored  to  clear  up  in  the  present  volume  of 
this  work,  IM.  IV.,  by  exhibiting  the  inale  and  female  of  the  On'olus  spu- 
71118  in  their  different  changes  of  dress,  as  well  as  in  their  perfect  plu- 
mage ;  and  by  introducing  representations  of  the  eggs  of  both,  have,  I 
hi>f»e,  j)ut  the  identity  of  these  two  species  beyond  all  further  dispute  or 
ambiguity. 

Almost  the  whole  genus  of  Orioles  belong  to  America,  and  with  a  few 
exceptions  build  pensile  nests.  Few  of  them,  however,  equal  the  Balti- 
more in  tlie  eoiistruction  of  these  receptacles  for  their  young,  and  in 
giving  them,  in  such  a  supeiior  degree,  convenience,  warmth,  and  secu- 
rity. For  these  purposes  he  generally  fixes  on  the  high  bending  extremi- 
ties of  the  branches,  fastening  strong  strings  of  hemp  or  flax  round  two 
forked  twigs,  corrcsiiomling  to  the  intended  width  of  the  nest  ;  with  the 
siinie  inaferiiils,  mixed  witii  (|uantities  of  loose  tow,  he  interweaves  or 
fabricates  a  strong  firm  kind  of  cloth,  not  unlike  the  substance  of  a  hat 
ill  its  raw  state,  forming  it  into  a  pouch  of  six  or  seven  inches  in  depth, 
lining  it  sulistantiiilly  with  various  soft  substances,  well  interwoven  with 
ihf  outward  iicttintr,  and  lastly,  finishes  with  a  layer  of  horse  hair;  the 
whole  being  shaded  from  the  sun  and  rain  by  a  natural  pent-house,  or 
fonopy  of  leaves.  As  to  a  lude  being  left  in  the  side  for  the  young  to 
be  fed,  ami  vitid  their  excrements  through,  as  Pennant  and  others  relate, 
it  is  certainly  an  error:  I  have  never  met  with  anything  of  the  kind  in 
the  nest  of  tiie  Baltiinoie. 


144 


BALTIMORE    ORIOLE. 


i    K.i 


Though  birds  of  the  same  specicfl  have,  generally  speaking,  a  common 
form  of  building,  yet,  contrary  to  the  usually  received  opinion,  they  do 
not  build  exactly  in  the  same  manner.    As  much  difference  will  bo  found 
in  the  style,  neatness,  and  finishing  of  the  ?<est8  of  the  lialtimores,  as  in 
their  voices.     Some  appear  far  superior  workmen  to  others  ;  and  proba- 
bly age  may  improve  them  in  this  as  it  does  in  their  colors.     I  have  a 
number  of  their  nests  now  before  mo,  all  completed,  and  with  eggs. 
One  of  these,  the  neatest,  is  in  the  form  of  a  cylinder,  of  five  inches 
diameter,  and  seven  inches  in  depth,  rounded  at  bottom.     The  opening 
at  top  is  narrowed,  by  a  horizontal  covering,  to  two  inches  and  a  half 
in  diameter.     The  materials  are  flax,  hemp,  tow,  hair,  and  wool,  woven 
into  a  roniplete  cloth  ;   the  whole  tightly  sewed    through  and  through 
with  long  horse-hairs,  several  of  which  measure  two  feet  in  length.    The 
bottom  is  composed  of  thick   tufts  of  cow-hair,  sewed  ivlso  with  strong 
horse-hair.     This  nest  was  hung  on  the  extremity   of  the  horizontal 
braiu'ii  of  an  apple-tree,  fronting  the  south-east ;  y\i\»  visible  one  hun- 
dred yards  off,  though  shaded  by  the  sun  ;  and  was  the  work  of  a  very 
beautiful  and   perfect  bird.     The  eggs  are  five,  white,  slightly  tinged 
with  flesh  color,  marked  on  the  greater  end  with  purple  dots,  and  on  the 
other  parts  with  long  liair-like  lines,  intersecting  each  other  in  a  variety 
of  rlireetions.      I  am  thus  luimite  in   these  particulars,  from   a  wish  to 
point  out'the  specific  difference  between  the  true  and  bastard  Baltimore, 
which  Dr.  Latham  and  some  others  suspect  to  bo  only  the  same  bird  in 
different  stages  of  color. 

So  solicitous  is  the  Baltimore  to  procure  proper  materials  for  his  nest, 
that,  in  the  season  of  building,  the  women  in  the  country  arc  under  the 
necessity  of  narrowly  watching  tlieir  thread  that  may  chance  to  be  out 
bleacliing,  and  the  farmer  to  secure  his  young  grafts;  as  the  Baltimore 
finding  tiie  former,  and  the  strings  which  tie  the  hitter,  so  well  adapted 
for  his  purpose,  frefiiiently  carries  off  both  ;  or  should  the  one  be  too  heavy, 
and  the  other  too  firmly  tied,  he  will  tug  at  them  a  considerable  time 
before  he  gives  up  the  attempt.  Skeins  of  silk,  and  hanks  of  threail, 
have  been  often  found,  after  the  leaves  were  fallen,  luinging  round  the 
Baltimore's  nest;  but  so  woven  up,'and  entangled,  as  to  be  entirely 
irreclaimable.  Before  the  introduction  of  Europeans,  no  such  material 
could  have  been  obtained  here  ;  but  with  the  sagacity  of  a  good  archi- 
tect, he  has  ioiproveil  this  circumstance  to  his  advantage  ;  and  the 
strongest  and  best  materials  are  uniformly  found  in  those  parts  by  which 
the  whole  is  supported. 

Their  principal  food  consists  of  caterpillars,  beetles  and  bugs,  particu- 
larly one  of  a  brilliant  glossy  green,  fragments  of  which  1  have  almo-St 
always  found  in  their  stomach,  and  sometimes  these  only. 

The  song  of  the  Baltimore  is  a  clear  mellow  whistle,  repeated  at  short 
intervals  as  he  gleans  among  the  branches.     There  's  in   it  a  certain 


BALTIMORE    ORIOLE. 


145 


wild  plaintivonosa  and  naivetS,  extremely  interesting.  It  is  not  uttered 
with  the  rapidity  of  the  ferruginous  thrush  {Turdug  rufux),  iind  some 
other  eminent  songsters ;  but  with  tlie  pleiising  tran(|uiliity  of  u  cure- 
less ploughboy,  whistling  merely  fur  his  own  amusement.  When 
alarmed  hy  an  approach  to  his  nest,  or  any  such  circumstances,  he 
makes  a  kin<l  of  rapid  chirruping,  very  different  from  liis  usual  note. 
This,  however,  is  always  succeeded  by  those  mellow  tones,  which  seem 
so  congenial  to  his  nature. 


Ilij^h  on  yon  poplar,  clad  in  flossiest  jrrcon, 
Tho  oranj^o,  hlnck-cappod  Bnltimoro  ih  seen, 
The  broad  extended  bouglisi  still  pleaso  him  best; 
Beneath  their  bending  Hkirts  ho  liangH  his  nest; 
There  his  sweet  mate,  seeuro  from  every  harm, 
Broods  o'er  liar  spotted  store,  and  wraps  them  warm ; 
Lists  to  the  noontide  hum  of  busy  bees,  ,■ 

Her  partner's  mellow  sonj;.  the  brook,  tho  breeze  j  ; 

These,  day  by  day,  the  lonely  hours  deceive, 
From  dewy  morn  to  slow  descending  eve. 
Two  weeks  elapsed,  behold  a  helpless  crew  1 
Claim  all  her  cure  and  her  uHi-ction  too ; 
On  wings  of  love  the  assiduous  nurses  fly, 
'I  Flowers,  leaves  and  boughs,  abundant  food  supply ; 

Glad  chants  their  guardian  as  abroad  ho  goes, 
And  waving  breezes  rock  them  to  repose. 

The  Baltimore  inhabits  North  America,  from  Canada  to  Mexico,  and 
is  even  found  as  far  south  us  Brazil.  Since  the  streets  of  our  cities 
have  been  planted  with  that  beautiful  and  stately  tree,  the  Lonibardy 
poplar,  these  birds  arc  our  constant  visitors  during  the  early  part  of 
summer  ;  and  amid  the  noise  and  tumult  of  coaches,  drays,  wheelbar- 
rows, and  tho  din  of  tlie  multitude,  they  are  heard  chanting  "their 
native  wood-notes  wild  ;"  sometimes  too  within  a  few  yards  of  an  oyster- 
man,  who  stands  bellowing  with  the  lungs  of  a  Slentor,  under  the  shade 
of  the  same  tree  ;  so  much  will  habit  reconcile  even  birds  to  the  roar  of 
the  city,  and  to  sounds  and  noises,  that  in  other  circumstances,  would 
put  a  whole  grove  of  them  to  flight. 

These  birds  are  several  years  in  receiving  t|jeir  complete  plumage. 
Scmetimes  the  whole  tail  of  a  male  individual,  in  spring,  is  yellow, 
sonulinR'S  only  the  two  middle  feathers  are  black,  and  frequently  tho 
Mack  on  the  back  is  skirted  with  orange,  and  the  tail  tipped  with  the  same 
color.  Three  years,  I  have  reason  to  believe,  are  necessary  to  fix  tho 
full  tint  of  the  plumage,  and  then  tho  male  bird  appears  as  already 
described. 


/I 


Vol.  I.— 10 


*    -1 


'$ 


i!: 


i' 


SP:*'-'''   ^   A, 


I 


OniOLUS  JiMTIMORUS. 

BALTIMORE    ORIOLE. 

[Plate  LIII.    Fi^.  4— Fomsle.] 

TllK  liistory  of  this  beautiful  hpocicH  has  been  already  particularly 
detailed;  to  tliis  repreHoiitution  of  tlie  fcmnlc,  drawn  of  lialf  tlie  size 
of  nature,  a  few  partienlarn  uiiiy  be  added.  Tiie  males  petierally  arrive 
several  davs  before  the  females,  saunter  about  their  wonted  plaeea  of 
renidenco,  and  seem  lonely  and  less  8pri;;litly  than  after  the  arrival  of 
their  mates.  Tn  the  spriiif;  and  summer  of  IHll,  a  Baltimore  took  up 
its  abode  i)i  Mr.  Hartram's  f<;arden,  whose  notes  were  so  singular  as 
particularly  to  attract  my  attention  ;  they  wore  as  well  known  to  me  as 
the  voice  of  my  most  intimate  friend.  On  the  thirtieth  of  April,  1812, 
I  was  again  surprised  and  pleased  at  hearing  this  same  Baltimore  in  the 
garden,  whistling  his  iilciiticiil  ohl  eliant  ;  atid  I  observed  that  he  jiar- 
ticularly  frequented  that  (pnirter  of  the  garden  where  the  tree  stood, 
on  the  pendent  branches  of  which  he  had  formed  his  nest  the  preceding 
year.  This  nest  hail  been  taken  possession  of  by  the  House  Wren,  a 
few  days  after  the  Baltimore's  brood  had  abandoned  it;  a?id,  curious  to 
know  how  the  little  intruder  had  furnished  it  within,  I  had  taken  it 
down  early  in  the  fall,  after  the  Wren  herself  had  also  raised  a  brood 
of  six  young  in  it,  and  which  was  her  second  that  season.  I  found  it 
stripped  of  its  original  lining,  floored  with  sticks,  or  small  twigs,  above 
which  were  lai<l  feathers ;  so  that  the  usual  complete  nest  of  the  Wren 
occupied  the  interior  of  that  of  the  Baltimore. 

The  chief  difTerence  between  the  male  and  female  Baltimore  Oriole, 
is  the  sujii'rior  brightness  of  the  orange  color  of  the  former  to  that  of 
the  latter.  The  black  on  the  head,  upper  part  of  the  back  and  throat, 
of  the  female,  is  intermixed  with  dull  orange;  whereas  in  the  male 
tho.se  parts  are  of  a  deep  shining  black  ;  the  tail  of  the  female  also 
wants  the  greater  part  of  the  black,  and  the  whole  lower  parts  are  <jt  a 
much  duskier  orange. 

I  have  observed  that  these  birds  are  rarely  seen  in  pine  woods,  or 
where  these  trees  generally  prevail.  On  the  ridges  of  our  high  moun- 
tains, they  are  also  seldom  to  be  met  with.  In  orchanls,  and  on  well 
cultivated  farms,  they  are  most  numerous,  generally  preferring  such 
places  to  build  in,  rather  than  the  woods  or  forest. 

(140) 


*f- 


''A 


Bpicim  II.     ORIOLUS  MUTATUS* 

ORCIIARn  ORIOLE. 

.     [PUt«  IV,] 

llantard  nalllmore,  Catisbv,  i.,  49.— /,«  linllimore  hntartl,  BrrFov,  iii.,  2M3,  PI, 
Kid.  .lOl). —  Oridlna  spnrius,  Omei,.  Si/.it.  i.,  p.  ;JH9. — Imtii.  S;/n.  ii.,  p.  43;!,  20,  p. 
437,  24.— Hartram,  p.  290. 

There  arc  no  circumstniici's,  relatinj;  to  liirdw,  which  tend  bo  much 
to  render  thoir  liiHtory  obHciiro  and  pcrph-xing,  as  the  various  diangos 
of  color  whicli  many  of  thcin  iindcrj^o.  These  cliaii;[fcH  arc  in  Homo 
cases  periodical,  in  others  proj^rcssivc ;  anil  arc  frofincntly  so  extraor- 
dinary, that,  uidess  the  naturalist  has  resided  for  years  in  the  country 
where  the  birds  inhabit,  and  has  examined  them  at  almost  every  season, 
ho  is  oxtremcly  liable  to  l)e  mi.-<t;iken  and  itnjioseil  on  by  tlwir  novel  ap- 
pcaranc(^  Numerous  instances  of  this  kind  mi^ht  be  cited,  from  the 
pages  of  European  writers,  in  which  the  same  bird  has  been  described 
two,  three,  and  even  four  different  times,  by  the  same  person  ;  and  each 
tii;iu  l.^  a  different  kind.  The  species  we  are  now  about  to  examine  is  a 
remarkable  exani[de  of  this;  and  as  it  has  never  to  my  knowledj^e  becMi 
either  accurately  figured  or  described,  I  have  devoted  one  pliitu  to  tho 
elucidation  of  its  history. 

The  Count  de  liuffon,  in  introducitip  what  he  suppose<l  to  be  the  male 
of  this  bird,  but  which  appears  evidently  to  have  been  the  female  of  tho 
Haltimore  Oriole,  makes  the  following  observations,  which  I  pive  in  tho 
words  of  his  translator :  "This  bird  is  so  called  (Spurious  Hiiltiinore,) 
because  (he  colors  of  its  plumage  are  not  so  lively  as  in  the  preceijing 
(Haltimore  O.)  In  fact,  when  we  compare  these  birds,  and  find  an 
exact  correspondence  in  everything  except  the  colors,  and  not  even  in 
tho  distribution  of  these,  but  oidv  in  the  different  tints  thev  assiune,  wo 
cannot  hesitate  to  infer,  that  the  Spurious  IJaltimore  is  a  variety  of  a 
more  generous  race,  degenerated  by  the  iniluence  of  climate,  or  soino 
other  accidental  cause." 


•  0.  Sjniriiis,  Linn.,  which  namo  must  be  atloptod.  Trleru.i  miiiiir  !>}iurlii.s,  Rriss. 
II.,  Ill,  pi.  10,  ti;;  ',\.  —  Ciiroii,i<-  de  Cui/rnne,  Hiff.  I'l.  A'li/.  tiiiT,  tijr.  1,  {iiiliilt  iiiiilo.) 
Carout/e  du  Cap  de  Ixniiie  h'.tjx'iaiire,  Hevr.  /'/.  A';i/.  Ii07,  H>;.  2,  (fciii;«le.)  Merle  d 
gorge  noire  de  St.  Damiiigue,  Heir.  /'/.  Knl.  ,'>59,  (young  male.) 

(147) 


148 


ORCHARD   ORIOLE. 


ill 


w 


:j'  If 


ill 

■i   i; 


i: 


m*! 


How  the  influence  of  climate  could  affect  one  portion  of  a  species  and 
not  tlie  other,  when  both  reside  in  the  same  climate,  and  feed  nearly  on 
the  same  food ;  or  what  accidental  cause  could  produce  a  difference  so 
striking,  and  also  so  regular,  as  exists  between  the  two,  arc,  I  confess, 
matters  beyond  my  comprehension.  But,  if  it  be  recollected,  that  tho 
bird  which  the  Count  was  thus  philosophizing  upon,  was  nothing  more  than 
the  female  Baltimore  Oriole,  which  exactly  corresponds  to  the  descrip- 
tion of  his  male  Bastard  Baltimore,  the  difficulties  at  once  vanish,  and 
with  them  the  whole  superstructure  of  theory  founded  on  this  mistake. 
Dr.  Latham  also,  while  he  confesses  the  great  confusion  and  uncertainty 
that  prevail  between  the  true  and  bastard  Baltimore  and  their  females, 
considers  it  highly  probable  that  the  whole  will  be  found  to  belong  to 
one  and  the  same  species,  in  their  different  changes  of  color.  In  this 
conjecture,  however,  the  worthy  naturalist  has  likewise  been  mistaken ; 
and  I  shall  endeavor  to  point  out  the  fact  as  well  as  the  source  of  this 
mistake. 

And  here  I  cannot  but  lake  notice  of  the  name  which  naturalists 
have  bestowed  on  this  bird,  and  which  is  certainly  remarkable.  Specific 
names,  to  be  perfect,  ought  to  express  some  peculiarity,  common  to  no 
other  of  the  genus;  and  should,  at  least,  be  consistent  with  truth;  but 
in  the  case  now  before  us,  the  ni>me  has  no  one  merit  of  the  former,  nor 
even  that  of  the  latter  to  recommend  it,  and  ought  henceforth  to  be  re- 
jected as  highly  improper,  and  calculated,  like  that  of  Goatsucker,  and 
many  others  eijually  ridiculous,  to  p(>rpetuat(>  that  error  from  which  it 
originated.  Tiie  word  fxixtani  among  men  has  its  determinate  meaning  ; 
but  when  applied  to  a  whole  species  of  birds,  perfectly  distinct  from  any 
other,  originally  deriving  their  peculiarities  of  form,  manner.s,  color,  &c., 
from  the  common  source  of  all  created  beings,  and  perpetuating  them, 
by  the  usual  laws  of  generation,  as  unmixed  and  independent  as  any 
other,  is,  to  call  it  by  no  worse  a  name,  a  gross  absurdity.  Should  the 
reader  be  displeased  at  this,  I  beg  leave  to  remind  him,  that  as  the  faith- 
ful historian  of  our  feathered  tribes,  1  must  be  allowed  the  liberty  of 
viii''.i<';)ting  thetn  from  every  misrepresentation  whatevir,  whether  origi- 
nating in  ignorance  or  prtjudiee ;  and  of  allotting  to  each  respective 
species,  as  far  as  1  can  distinguish,  that  rank  and  place  in  the  great 
order  of  nature,  to  which  it  is  entitled. 

To  convince  the  foreignrr  (for  Americans  have  no  doubt  on  the  sub- 
ject) that  the  present  is  a  distinct  species  from  the  Baltimore,  it  might 
l.o  sufficient  to  refer  to  tlie  figure  of  the  latter,  in  Plate  I.,  and  to  fig.  4, 
Plate  IV..  of  this  work.  I  will  however  add,  that  I  conclude  this  bird 
to  be  specifically  different  from  the  Baltimore,  from  the  following  cir- 
cuHistances :  its  size — it  is  less,  and  more  slender;  its  colors,  which  arc 
different,  and  twrt/  difftrcnthj  JigpogeJ ;  the  form  of  its  lull,  which  is 
sharper  pointed,  ami  more  bent ;  the  form  of  its  tail,  which  is  not  cveti 


m 


ORCHARD    ORIOLE. 


149 


but  wedged ;  its  notes,  which  arc  neither  so  full  nor  so  mellow,  and 
uttered  with  much  more  rapidity ;  its  mode  of  building,  and  the  mate- 
rials ii,  uses,  both  of  which  are  different ;  and  lastly,  the  shape  and  color 
of  the  eggs  of  each  (see  figs,  a  and  t),  which  are  evidently  unlike.  If 
all  these  circumstances,  oauX  I  could  enumerate  a  great  many  more,  be 
not  sufficient  to  designate  this  as  a  distinct  species,  by  what  criterion,  I 
would  ask,  are  we  to  discriminate  between  a  variety  and  an  original 
species,  or  to  assure  ourselves,  that  the  Great  Horned  Owl  is  not  in  fact 
a  bastard  Goose,  or  the  Carrion  Crow  a  mere  variety  of  the  Humming 
Bird  ? 

These  mistakes  have  been  occasioned  by  several  causes.     Principally 
by  the  changes  of  color,  to  which  the  birds  arc  subject,  and  the  distance 
of  Europeans  from  the  country  tiiey  inhabit.     Catesby,  it  is  true,  while 
in  Carolina,  described  and  figured  the  Baltimore,  and  perhaps  was  the 
first  who  published  figures  of  either  species ;  but  he  entirely  omitted 
saying  anything  of  the  female ;  and  instead  of  the  male  and  female  of 
the  present  species,  as  he  thought,  he  has  only  figi  red  the  male  in  two  of 
his  different  dresses ;  and  succeeding  compilers  have  followed  and  re- 
peated the  same  error.     Another  cause  may  be  assigned,  viz.,  the  ex- 
treme  shyness   of  the   female  Orchard    Oriole,   represented   at  fig.   1. 
This  bird  has  hitherto  escaped  tlie  notice  of  European  n.aturalists,  or 
has  been  mistaken  for  another  species,  or  perhaps  for  a  young  bird  of 
the  first  season,  which  it  almost  exactly  resembles.     In  none  of  the  nu- 
merous works  on  ornithology  has  it  ever  before  appeareil  in  its  proper 
character  ;  though  the  male  has  been  known  to  Europeans  for  more  than 
a  century,  and  has  usually  been  figured  in  one  of  his  dresses  as  male, 
and  in  another  as  female ;    tiiese  varying  according  to  the  fluctuating 
opinions  of  diflereiit  writers.     It  is  annising  to  see  how  gentlemen  have 
groped  in  the  dark  in  pairing  these  two  species  of  Orioles,  of  which  the 
following  examples  may  be  given  : 


I  Male — Male  Baltimore. 

j  Female — Male  Orchard  Oriole,  fig.  4. 

)  Male — Female  Baltimore. 

j  Female — Male  Orciiard  Oriole,  fig.  2. 


Buffon's    and    Latham's 

Baltimore  Oriole. 

Spurious    Baltimore    of 

Ditto. 

r,  .'     T>  w  f\    I  Male — Male  Baltimore. 

I'ennant  s   IJaitimore  O.  V  ,,       ,       ,.  ,,  ,    ,,  ,.• 

(  remale — \  onng  Male  IJaltmiore. 

o       •        i\     e  iA-ii  )  Male — Male  Orchard  O.,  fiyr.  4. 

Spurious  O.  of  Ditto.        V  ,,       ,       ,..,      ,.^^      .•     >i 
'  j  remale — Ditto,  ditto,  tig.  ::. 

P,  ,    ,    .     T,  ,  •  ^^     )  ^^ale — Male  Baltimore. 

Uateshv  s   lialtimorc  O.,  >  „        i       x-  ,  .■        i 

)  temale — JNot  mentioned. 

o       •        „     ,.  ,v..  )  Male — Male  Orchard  O.,  fig.  2. 

opurious  1».  of  Ditto.        V  ,,        ,       ,,.,.       ,.  ^      «  '  .= 

'  f  lemale — Ditto,  ditto,  fig.  4.  . 

Among  all  these  authors,  Catesby  is  doubtless  the  most  inexcusable, 
having  lived  for  several  years  in  America,  where  lie  iiad  an  opportunity 


i'i  ^i 


.!:!« 


fS6 


:^t:i' 


I  i" 


150 


ORCHARD    ORIOLE. 


of  being  more  correct ;  yet  when  it  is  considered,  tliat  the  female  of  this 
bird  is  so  much  shyer  than  the  male,  that  it  is  seldom  seen  ;  and  that 
while  the  males  are  flying  around  and  bewailing  an  approach  to  their 
nest,  the  females  keep  aloof,  watching  every  inovenient  of  the  enemy  in 
restless  but  silent  anxiety ;  it  is  less  to  be  wondered  at,  I  say,  that  two 
birds  of  the  same  kind,  but  different  in  plumage,  making  their  appear- 
ance together  at  such  times,  should  be  taken  for  male  and  female  of  the 
same  nost,  without  doubt  or  examination,  as  from  that  strong  sympathy 
for  each  other's  distress,  which  prevails  so  universally  among  them  at 
this  season,  it  is  difficult  sometimes  to  distinguish  between  the  sufl'orer 
and  the  svmi)athizin''  neighbor. 

»       1  or? 

The  female  of  the  Orchard  Oriole,  fig.  1,  is  six  inches  and  a  half  in 
length,  and  eleven  inches  in  extent,  the  color  above  is  a  yellow  olive, 
inclining  to  a  brownish  tint  on  the  back  ;  the  wings  are  dusky  brown, 
lesser  wing-coverts  tipped  with  yellowish  white,  greater  coverts  and 
secondaries  exteriorly  eilged  with  the  same,  primaries  slightly  so ;  tail 
roumled  at  tlie  extremity,  the  two  exterior  feathers  three-cjuarters  of  an 
inch  shorter  than  the  middle  ones ;  whole  lower  parts  yellow ;  bill  and 
legs  light  blue,  the  former  bent  a  little,  very  sharp  pointed,  and  black 
towards  the  extremity;  iris  of  the  eye  hazel,  pupil  black.  The  youiiy 
male  of  the  first  season  corresponds  nearly  witii  the  above  descri|)tion. 
But  in  the  succeeding  sj)ring,  he  makes  his  appearance  with  a  large 
patch  of  black  marking  the  front,  lores  and  throat,  as  represented  in 
fig.  2.  In  this  stage,  t<io,  the  black  sometimes  makes  its  a])i)ear!'.  ce  on 
the  two  middle  feathers  of  the  tail ;  and  slight  stains  of  reddish  are  seen 
commencing  on  the  sides  and  belly.  Q'he  rest  of  the  })lumage  as  in  the 
female.  This  continuing  nearly  the  same  on  the  same  bird  during  the 
remainder  of  the  season.  At  the  same  time  other  individuals  are  found 
as  representcii  by  fig.  3,  which  are  at  lea>t  birds  of  tlu-  third  summer. 
These  are  niuitkd  with  black  and  olive  on  the  upper  jjarts  of  the  back, 
ami  with  reddish  4)ay  and  yellow  on  the  belly,  sides  and  vent,  scattered 
in  the  most  irregular  manner,  not  alike  in  any  two  individuals  ;  and 
generally  the  two  middii  feathers  of  the  tail  are  black,  and  the  others 
centrtd  with  tin;  same  color.  This  bird  is  now  evidently  u|)proaching  to 
its  perfect  plumage,  as  represented  in  fig.  4,  where  the  black  spreads 
over  the  whol;'  head,  neck,  upper  part  of  the  back,  breast,  wings  and 
tail,  the  reiMish  l)ay  or  bright  eliL-stnut  occujiying  the  lower  pi;rt  of  tl-e 
breast,  the  belly,  vent,  rump,  tail-coverts,  and  three  lower  rows  of  the 
lesser  wing-covert.s.  The  black  on  the  head  is  deep  and  velvety  ;  that 
of  the  wings  inclining  to  brown  ;  the  greater  wing-coverts  are  tipped 
with  white.  In  the  same  orchard,  and  at  the  same  time,  nuiles  in  each 
of  these  states  of  plumage  may  be  found,  united  to  their  respective 
plain-c(diiri-d  mates. 

In  all  these  the  manners,  mode  of  buihling,  food  and  notes  arc,  gon- 


ORCHARD   ORIOLE. 


161 


erally  speaking,  the  same,  differing  no  more  than  those  of  any  other  in- 
dividuals helonging  to  one  common  species.  The  female  appears  always 
nearly  the  same. 

I  have  said  that  these  birds  construct  their  nests  very  differently  from 
the  Baltimores.  They  are  so  particularly  fond  of  frequenting  orchards, 
that  scarcely  one  orchard  in  summer  is  without  them.  They  usually 
suspend  their  nest  from  the  twigs  of  the  apple  tree ;  and  often  from  the 
extremities  of  the  outward  branches.  It  is  formed  exteriorly  of  a  par- 
ticular species  of  long,  tough  and  flexible  grass,  knit  or  sewed  through 
and  through  in  a  thousand  directions,  as  if  actually  done  with  a  needle. 
An  old  lady  of  my  acquaintance,  to  whom  I  was  one  day  showing  this 
curious  fabrication,  after  admiring  its  texture  for  some  time,  asked  me 
in  a  tone  between  joke  and  earnest,  whether  I  did  not  think  it  possible 
to  learn  these  birds  to  darn  stockings.  This  nest  is  hemispherical,  three 
inches  deep  by  four  in  breadth  ;  the  concavity  scarcely  two  inches  deep 
by  two  in  diameter.  I  had  the  curiosity  to  detach  one  of  the  fibres,  or 
Ftalks,  of  dried  grass  from  the  nest,  and  found  it  to  measure  thirteen 
inches  in  length,  and  in  that  distance  wiis  thirty-four  times  hooked 
through  and  returned,  winding  round  and  round  the  nest !  The  inside 
is  usuallj'  composed  of  wool,  or  the  light  downy  appendages  attached  to 
the  .-leeds  of  the  PlatanuH  occidentalism  oi'  button-wood,  which  form  a 
very  soft  and  couimoilious  bed.  Here  and  there  the  outward  work  is 
extended  to  an  adjoining  twig,  round  which  it  is  strongly  twisted,  to 
give  more  stability  to  the  whole,  and  prevent  it  from  being  overset  by 
the  wind. 

When  they  choose  the  long  pendei»t  branches  of  the  weej)ing-willow 
to  buihl  in,  as  they  frequently  do,  the  nest,  though  formed  of  the  same 
materials,  is  made  much  deeper,  and  of  slighter  texture.  The  circum- 
ference is  marked  out  by  a  number  of  these  pensile  twigs,  t!iat  descend 
on  each  side  like  ribs,  supporting  the  whole ;  their  thick  foliage,  at  the 
same  time,  completely  concealing  the  nest  from  view.  The  depth  in 
this  case  is  increased  to  four  or  five  iiiclies,  and  the  whole  is  made  much 
slighter.  These  long  pendent  branclies,  l)eing  sometimes  twelve  and 
even  fifteen  feet  in  length,  have  a  large  sweep  in  the  wind,  aiul  render 
the  first  of  these  precautions  necessary,  to  prevent  the  eggs  or  young 
from  being  thrown  out ;  and  the  close  shelter  afforded  by  the  remarkable 
thickness  of  the  foliage,  is,  no  doubt,  the  cause  of  the  latter.  Two  of 
these  nests,  such  as  I  have  here  described,  are  now  lying  before  me,  and 
exhibit  not  only  art  in  the  construction,  but  judgment  in  adapting  their 
fabrication  so  judiciously  to  their  particular  situations.  If  the  actions 
of  !)irt!s  j)roceeded,  as  some  wpuld  have  us  believe,  from  the  nu-re  im- 
pulses of  that  thing  called  inxtim-t,  individuals  of  the  same  species  would 
uniformly  buihl  their  nest  in  the  same  manner,  wherever  they  might 
ba[>peu  to  fix  it ;   but   it  is  evident  from  these  just  mentioned,  and  a 


li  ;. 


fi 


\ 

[Hi' 


152 


ORCHARD    ORIOLE. 


thousand  such  circumstances,  that  they  reason  d  priori  from  cause  to 
consequence ;  providently  managing  with  a  constant  eye  to  future 
necessity  and  convenience. 

The  eggs,  one  of  which  is  represented  in' the  same  plate  (fig.  a),  are 
usually  four,  of  a  very  pale  bluish  tint,  with  a  few  small  specks  of  brown 
and  spots  of  dark  purple.  An  egg  of  the  Baltimore  Oriole  is  exhibited 
beside  it  (fig.  l>) ;  both  of  these  were  minutely  copied  from  nature,  and 
are  sufficient  of  themselves  to  determine,  beyond  all  possibility  of  doubt, 
the  diversity  of  the  two  species.  I  may  add,  that  Charles  W.  Peale, 
proprietor  of  tiie  Museum  in  Philadelphia,  who,  a.s  a  practical  naturalist, 
stands  deservedly  first  in  the  first  rank  of  American  connoisseurs,  has 
expressed  to  me  his  perfect  conviction  of  the  changes  wliich  these  birds 
pass  through  ;  having  himself  examined  them  botii  in  spring,  and  towards 
the  latter  part  of  summer,  and  having,  at  the  present  time,  in  his  pos- 
session thirty  or  forty  individuals  of  this  species,  in  almost  every  grada^ 
tion  of  change. 

The  Orchard  Oriole,  though  partly  a  dependent  on  the  industry  of 
the  fanner,  is  no  sneaking  pilferer,  but  an  open  and  truly  beneficent 
friend.  To  all  those  countless  multitudes  of  destructive  bugs  and  cater- 
pillars, that  infest  the  fruit  trees  in  spring  and  summer,  preying  on  the 
leaves,  blossoms,  and  embryo  of  the  fruit,  he  is  a  deadly  enemy  ;  devour- 
ing them  wherever  he  can  find  them  ;  and  destroying,  on  an  average, 
some  hundre<ls  of  them  every  day:  without  offering  tlie  slightest  injury 
to  the  fruit,  however  much  it  may  stand  in  his  way.  I  have  witnessed 
instances  where  the  entrance  to  his  nest  was  more  than  lialf  closed  up 
by  a  cluster  of  apples,  which  he  could  have  easily  demolisheil  in  half  a 
minute;  but,  as  if  holding  the  ])roperty  of  his  pntron  -sacred,  or  con- 
sidering it  as  a  natural  bulwark  to  liis  own,  lie  slid  out  and  in  witli  the 
greatest  gentleness  and  caution.  I  am  n()t  sufficiently  conversant  in 
entomology  to  particularize  the  different  species  of  insects  on  which  he 
feeds;  but  I  have  good  reason  for  believing  that  tlu-y  are  almost 
altogether  such  as  commit  the  greatest  depredations  on  tiie  fruits  of  the 
orchard ;  and,  as  he  visits  us  at  a  time  when  his  services  are  of  the 
greatest  value,  and,  like  a  faithful  guardian,  takes  up  his  station  where 
the  enemy  is  most  to  be  expected,  he  ought  to  be  held  in  respectful  esteem, 
and  protected  by  every  considerate  husbandman.  Nor  is  the  gaiety  of 
Ivis  song  one  of  his  lea.st  recommendations.  Being  an  exceedingly 
active,  sprightly,  and  restless  bird,  he  is  on  the  ground — on  tiie  trees — 
flying  and  carolling  in  his  burried  manner,  in  almost  one  and  the  same 
instant.  His  notes  are  slirill  and  lively,  but  uttered  with  sueli  rapidity 
and  seeming  confusion,  that  the  ear  is  unable  to  follow  them  distinctly. 
Between  these  he  has  a  single  note,  which  is  agreeable  and  interesting. 
Wherever  he  is  protected,  lit;  shows  his  confidence  and  gratitude,  Ity  his 
numbers  and  familiarity.     In  the  Botanic  Garden  of  my  worthy  and 


ORCHAKD   ORIOLE. 


168 


scientific  friends,  the  Messrs.  Bartrams,  of  Kingsess, — which  present  an 
epitome  of  almost  everything  tliat  is  rare,  useful,  and  beautiful  in  the 
vegetable  kingdom  of  this  western  continent,  and  where  the  murderous 
gun  scarce  ever  intrudes, — the  Orchard  Oriole  revels  without  restraint, 
through  thickets  of  aromatic  flowers  and  blossoms ;  and  heedless  of  the 
busy  gardener  that  lal)ors  below,  hangs  his  nest,  in  perfect  security,  on 
tlie  branches  over  his  head. 

The  female  sits  fourteen  days ;  the  young  remain  in  the  nest  ten  days 
afterwards,*  before  they  venture  abroad,  which  is  generally  about  the 
middle  of  June.  Nests  of  this  species,  with  eggs,  are  sometimes  found 
so  late  as  the  twentieth  of  July,  which  must  belong  to  birds  that  have 
lost  their  first  nest ;  or  it  is  probable  that  many  of  them  raise  two  broods 
in  tlie  same  season,  though  I  am  not  positive  of  the  fact. 

The  Orchard  Orioles  arrive  in  I'ennsylvania  rather  later  than  the 
Baltimorcs,  conunonly  about  the  first  week  in  May  ;  and  extend  as  far 
as  the  province  of  Maine.  They  aro  also  more  numerous  towards  the 
mountains  than  the  latter  species.  In  traversing  the  country  near  the 
Blue  llidge,  in  the  month  of  August,  I  have  seen  at  least  five  of  this 
species  for  one  of  the  Baltimore.  Early  in  September,  they  take  their 
departure  for  the  south  ;  their  term  of  residence  here  being  little  more 
tluin  four  months.  Previous  to  their  departure,  the  young  birds  become 
gregarious,  aiul  frequent  the  rich  e.xteiifjive  meadows  of  the  Schuylkill, 
below  Philadelphia,  in  flocks  of  from  thirty  to  forty  o;  upwards.  They 
are  easily  raised  from  the  nest,  and  soon  become  agreeable  domestics. 
One  which  I  reared  and  kept  through  the  winter,  whistled  with  great 
clearness  and  vivacity  at  two  montlis  old.  It  had  an  odd  manner  of 
moving  its  head  and  nock  slowly  and  regularly,  and  in  various  direc- 
tions, when  intent  on  observing  anything,  without  stirring  its  body. 
Tiiis  motion  Avas  as  slow  and  rejiular  as  that  of  a  siuike.  When  at  night  a 
candle  was  brought  into  the  room,  it  became  restless  and  evidently  dis- 
satisfied, fluttering  about  the  cage  as  if  seeking  to  get  out ;  but  when 
tlie  cage  was  placed  on  the  same  table  witli  the  candle,  it  seemed 
extremely  wt-ll  pleased,  fed  and  drank,  dressed,  shook,  and  arranged  its 
plumage,  sat  as  close  to  the  light  as  possible,  and  sometimes  chanted  a 
few  broken  irregular  notes  in  that  situation,  as  I  sat  writing  or  reading 
beside  it.  I  also  kept  a  young  female  of  the  same  nest,  during  the 
greatest  part  of  winter,  but  could  not  observe,  in  that  time,  any  change 
in  its  plumage. 

*  There  is  evidently  some  iniMtnko  here,  oh  the  young  could  Imrdly  bo  fledged 
in  ten  dnvs. 


•11 


I  ',  ■■ 


H 


m  • 

'MM 

I;  '•'i.f:  I* 


ri 


1 1 


Genus  XVI.    ORACULA.    GRAKLE. 
Spkcies  I.     GRACULA  FER  RUG  IKEA. 

RUSTY  GRAKLE.* 

[PlRte  XXI.    Fig.  3.] 

Black  O.iole,  Arct.  Zool.  p.  25'.).  No.  lU.—Riig/;/  Oriole,  Ibid.  p.  '.'CO,  No.  146.— 
New  York  Thrush,  Il)id.  p.  ^M,  No.  -M'h— Hudsonian  Thrush,  Ibid.  No.  234, 
Jhiiale. —  Labrador  Thrush,  Ibid.  p.  340,  No.  206. 

Herb  is  a  single  species  described  by  one  of  the  ino.st  judicious 
naturali.sts  of  Great  Britain  no  le.-^a  than  five  different  tiine.s  !  The  greater 
part  of  these  descriptions  is  copied  by  succeeding  naturalists,  whose 
synonynies  it  is  unnecessary  to  repeat.  So  great  is  the  uncertainty  in 
judging,  from  a  mere  examination  of  their  dried  or  stuffed  skins,  of  the 
particular  tribes  of  I)irds,  many  of  which,  for  several  years,  are  con- 
stantly varying  in  the  colors  of  their  plunuige ;  and  at  diflereiit  sea.sons, 
or  different  ages,  a.ssuming  new  and  very  diflereiit  aj)pearances.  Even 
the  size  is  by  no  means  a  safe  criterion,  tiie  difference  in  this  respect 
between  the  male  and  female  of  the  same  species  (as  in  the  one  now 
before  us)  being  sometimes  very  considerable. 

This  bird  arrives  in  Pennsylvania,  from  the  nortli,  early  in  October ; 
associates  with  the  Red-wings,  and  Cow-pen  Buntings,  frequents  corn- 
fields, and  places  where  grasshoppers  are  jjlenty  ;  but  Indian  corn,  at 
that  8ea.son,  seems  to  be  its  princijjal  food.  It  is  a  very  silent  bird, 
having  only  now  and  then  a  single  note,  or  chuck.  We  see  them  occa- 
sionally until  about  the  middle  of  November,  when  they  move  off  to  tho 
south.  On  the  twelfth  of  January  I  overtook  great  numbers  of  these 
birds  in  the  woods  near  Petersburgh,  Virginia,  and  continued  to  see 
occasional  parties  of  them  almost  every  day  as  I  advanced  soutlierly, 
particularly  in  South  Carolina,  around  the  rice  j)lantations,  where  they 
were  numerous ;  feeding  about  the  hog-pens,  and  wherever  Indian  corn 
was  to  be  procured.  They  also  extend  to  a  considerable  distance  west- 
ward. On  the  fifth  of  March,  being  on  the  banks  of  the  Ohio,  a  few 
miles  below  the  mouth  of  the  Kentucky  river,  in  the  midst  of  a  heavy 
snow-storm,  a  flock  of  these  birds  alighted  near  the  door  of  the  cabin 

*  The  Oeiius  Grucula,  as  at  pre8L>nt  restricted,  coniiiHtii  of  only  n  Hin;;le  (tpeoicM ; 
the  otlxTN  formerly  includod  in  it  Imve  been  distributi'd  in  other  ;:eiierii.  The  two 
■peuies  desci'lK'd  by  Wili^ou  belong  tu  the  geiiUH  liltrus  as  udoptol  by  Teiiiiiiinck. 

(154) 


RUSTY   GRAKLE. 


155 


where  I  had  taken  shelter,  several  of  whieh  I  shot,  and  found  the:r 
Btoiuaelis,  as  usual,  crammed  with  Indian  corn.  Early  in  April  they 
pass  hastily  through  Pennsylvania,  on  their  return  to  the  north  to 
breed. 

From  the  accounts  of  persons  who  have  resided  near  Hudson's  Bay, 
it  appears,  that  these  birds  arrive  there  in  the  beginning  of  June,  as 
soon  as  the  gr()>ind  is  tliawcd  sufficiently  for  them  to  procure  their  food, 
which  is  said  to  be  worms  and  maggots ;  sing  with  a  fine  note  till  the 
tiiiu^  of  iucitliation,  wlien  they  have  only  a  chucking  noise,  till  the  young 
take  tlioir  liight:  at  whicli  time  they  resume  their  song.  They  build 
their  nests  in  trees ;  about  eight  feet  from  the  ground,  forming  them 
with  moss  and  grass,  and  lay  five  eggs  of  a  dark  color,  spotted  with 
black.  It  is  added,  they  gather  in  great  flocks,  and  retire  south^irly  in 
September.* 

The  male  of  this  species,  when  in  perfect  plumage,  is  nine  inches  in 
length,  and  fourteen  in  extent ;  at  a  small  distance  appears  wholly 
black ;  but  on  a  near  examination  is  of  a  glossy  dark  green ;  the 
irides  of  the  eye  are  silvery,  as  in  those  of  the  Purple  Grakle ;  the  bill 
is  black,  nearly  of  the  same  form  with  that  of  the  last-mentioned  species  ; 
the  lower  mandible  a  little  rounded,  with  the  edges  turned  inward,  and 
the  upper  one  furnished  with  a  siiarp  l)ony  process  on  the  inside,  exactly 
like  that  of  the  purple  species.  The  tongue  is  slender,  and  lacerated  at 
the  tip;  legs  and  feet  black  and  strong,  the  hiiul  claw  the  largest;  the 
tail  is  sliglitly  rounded.  Tliis  is  the  color  of  the  male  when  oF  full  age ; 
but  three-fourths  of  the.se  birds  which  we  meet  with,  liave  the  whole 
plumage  of  the  breast,  head,  neck,  and  back,  tinctured  with  brown, 
every  feather  being  skirted  with  ferruginous ;  over  the  eye  is  a  light 
line  of  pale  brown,  below  that  one  of  black  passing  through  the  eye. 
This  brownness  gradually  goes  off  towards  spring,  for  almost  all  those  I 
shot  in  the  southern  states  were  but  sligiitly  nuirked  with  ferruginous. 
The  fennile  is  nearly  an  inch  shorter ;  head,  neck,  and  breast,  almost 
wholly  brown  ;  a  light  line  over  the  eye,  lores  black ;  belly  and  rump 
ash  ;  upper  and  under  tail-coverts  skirted  with  brown  ;  wings  black, 
edged  with  rust  color ;  tail  black,  glossed  with  green  ;  legs,  feet  and 
bill,  as  in  the  male. 

These  birds  might  easily  be  domesticated.  Several  that  I  had  winged, 
and  kejtt  for  some  time,  became  in  a  few  days  quite  familiar,  seeming  to 
be  very  easily  reconciled  to  confinement. 


•  Arct.  Zool.  p.  259. 


mm 


■ 


Species  II.     GRACULA  QUISCALA. 

PURPLE  GRAKLE. 

[Plate  XXI.    Fig.  4.] 

La  Pie  He  la  Jamaiqite,  Brisson,  ii.,  11. — Bi  kfon,  hi.,  ',•",  /'/.  Enl.  538. — Ard.  Xool. 
p.  309,  No.  l.')4. —  Gmcula  piirpuna,  the  ksser  Purple  Jackdaw,  or  Crow  Black- 
bird,  Bartrah,  p.  291.* 

This  noted  deprctlutor  i.s  well  known  to  every  farmer  of  the  northern 
and  middle  states.  Aliout  the  twentieth  of  March  the  Purple  (Irakles 
visit  Pennsylvania  from  the  south,  fly  in  loose  llocks,  freiiuent  swampa 
and  meadows,  and  follow  in  the  furrows  after  the  plough  ;  their  food  at 
this  season  consisting  of  worms,  gruhs,  and  caterpillar.s,  of  which  they 
destroy  prodigious  numbers,  as  if  to  recompense  the  husbandman  before- 
hand for  the  havock  they  intend  to  make  among  his  crops  of  Indian 
corn.  Towards  evening  they  retire  to  the  nearest  cedars  and  pine  trees 
to  roost;  making  a  continual  chattering  as  they  fly  along.  On  the 
tallest  of  these  trees  they  generally  build  their  nests  in  company,  about 
the  beginning  or  middle  of  April ;  sometimes  ten  or  fifteen  nests  being 
on  the  same  tree.  One  of  these  nests,  taken  from  a  high  pine  tree,  is 
now  before  me.  It  measures  full  five  inches  in  diameter  within,  and 
four  in  depth;  is  composed  outwardly  of  mud,  mixed  with  long  stalks 
and  roots  of  a  knotty  kind  of  grass,  and  lined  with  tine  bent  and  horse 
hair.  The  eggs  are  five,  of  a  blui.sh  olive  color,  marked  with  large  spots 
and  straggling  streaks  of  black  and  dark  brown,  also  with  others  of  a 
fainter  tinge.     They  rarely  produce  more  than  one  brood  in  a  -eason. 

The  trees  whore  these  birds  build  are  often  at  no  great  distance  from 
the  farm-house,  and  overlook  the  plantations.  From  thence  they  issue, 
in  all  directions,  and  with  as  much  confiilence,  to  make  their  daily 
depredations  among  the  surrounding  fields,  as  if  the  whoh'  were  intended 
for  their  use  alone.  Their  chief  attention,  however,  is  directed  to  the 
Indian  corn  in  all  its  progressive  stages.  As  soon  as  the  infant  blade 
of  this  giain  begins  to  make  its  appearance  above  ground,  the  Grakles 
hail  the  welcome  signal  with  screams  of  peculiar  satisfaction  ;  and  with- 
out waiting  for  a  formal  invitation  from  the  proprietor,  descend   jn  the 


*  We  nild  tlie  followinj;  synonymcs:  linat-Uiiled  Orahle,  Lath.  Gfii.  Si/n,  1,  p. 
4G0,  No.  5. — Mdizt-thieJ',  Kai.m's  'hnnl.i. — Stiirims  fjiii.icalii,  Daidix,  -,  ]>.  .'JIO. — 
Gracula  harita,  Jimrnal  Arad.  \iil.  Srienre.i  of  PhiUid.  vol.  1,  p.  2.'>4.  —  Vhm'vj/u 
terticolvr,  Bo.vaparte's  Omithnli'ijii,  vol.  i.,  p.  42,  p!.  V.,  fi'uiule. 

(I5G) 


PURPLE    QRAKLE. 


157 


fields,  and  bogin  to  pull  up  and  regale  themselves  on  the  seed,  scatter- 
ing the  green  blades  around.  While  thus  eagerly  employed,  the  ven- 
geance of  the  gun  sometimes  overtakes  them ;  but  these  disasters  are 
soon  forgotten,  and  those 


" who  livo  to  get  away, 

Return  to  steal,  another  day." 

About  the  beginning  of  August,  when  the  young  ears  are  in  their  milky 
state,  they  are  attacked  with  redoubled  eagerness  by  the  Grakles  and 
Red-wings,  in  formidable  and  combined  bodies.  They  descend  like  a 
blackening,  Kwecping  tempest,  on  the  corn,  dig  off  the  external  covering 
of  twelve  or  fifteen  coats  of  leaves,  as  dexterously  as  if  done  by  the 
hand  of  man,  and  having  laid  bare  the  ear,  leave  little  behind  to  the 
farmer  but  the  cobs,  and  shrivelled  skins  that  contained  their  favorite 
fare.  I  have  seen  fields  of  corn  of  many  acres,  where  more  than  one- 
half  was  thus  ruined.  Indeed  tlie  farmers  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of 
the  rivers  Delaware  and  Schuylkill,  generally  allow  one-fourth  of  this 
crop  to  the  Blackbirds,  among  whom  our  Grakle  comes  in  for  his  full 
share.  During  tiiose  depredations,  the  gun  is  making  great  havoc 
among  tlieir  nund)ers,  wliieh  has  no  otiier  (.tVect  on  the  survivors  than  to 
send  them  to  another  field,  or  to  another  part  of  the  same  field.  This 
system  of  pbinder  and  of  retaliation  continues  until  November,  when 
tovv'ards  tlie  middle  of  that  nioiitli  they  begin  to  sheer  off  towards  the 
south.  Tlie  lower  parts  of  Virginia,  North  and  South  Carolina,  and 
Georgia,  are  tlie  winter  residences  of  these  flocks.  Here  numerous 
bodies,  eoileeling  together  from  all  quarters  of  the  interior  and  northern 
districts,  and  darkening  tlie  air  witli  their  numbers,  sonietiines  form  one 
congregated  multitude  of  many  hundred  thousands.  A  few  miles  from 
the  banks  of  the  Roanoke,  on  the  twentieth  of  January,  I  met  with  one 
of  those  prodigious  armies  of  (irakles.  Tliey  rose  from  tlie  surround- 
ing fields  with  a  noise  like  thunder,  and  descending  on  the  length  of 
road  before  me,  covered  it  and  the  fences  completely  with  black;  and 
when  they  again  rose,  and  after  a  few  evolutions  descende<l  on  the 
skirts  of  the  iiigh  fimliered  woods,  at  that  time  destitute  of  leaves,  they 
produced  a  Tnost  singular  and  striking  effect ;  the  whole  trees  for  a  con- 
siilerahle  extent,  from  the  top  to  tiie  lowest  branches,  seeming  as  if 
hung  in  mourning  ;  their  notes  and  screaming  the  meanwhile  resembling 
the  distant  sound  of  a  great  cataract,  but  in  more  musical  cadence, 
swelling  and  dying  away  on  the  ear  according  to  the  fluecuation  of  the 
bree/e.  In  Kentucky,  and  all  along  the  Mississippi,  from  its  junction 
with  tlie  Ohio  to  the  Balize,  I  found  numbers  of  these  birds,  so  that 
the  Purple  Grakle  nniy  be  considered  as  a  very  general  inhabitant  of 
the  territory  of  the  United  States. 

Every  industrious  farmer  complains  of  the  mischief  committed  on  his 


,.V>'. 


18 


PURPLE    G  K  A  K  L  E. 


ii 

il: 


fly' 


\':V'^' 


i 


li-i 


\V 


corn  by  the  Crow  Blacklnrds,  as  tliey  are  usually  ciillfd  ;  though  wore 
the  same  moans  used,  as  with  pigeons,  to  take  tlicni  in  elap-ncts,  multi- 
tudes of  tliom  might  thus  be  destroyed  ;  and  the  products  (»f  them  in 
market,  in  some  measure,  indemnify  him  for  their  depredations.  But 
tliey  are  ninst  numerous  an<l  most  dcstrnctive  at  a  time  when  the  various 
harvests  of  tiie  husbandman  demand  all  his  attention,  and  all  his  hands 
to  cut,  euro,  and  take  in  ;  and  so  they  escape  with  a  few  >weeps  made 
among  them  by  some  of  the  younger  boys,  with  the  gun  ;  and  by  tlio 
gunners  from  the  neighboring  towns  anil  villages;  and  return  from 
their  winter  quarters,  sometimes  early  in  March,  to  renew  the  like 
scenes  over  again.  As  some  consolation,  however,  to  the  industrious 
cultivator,  I  can  assure  him,  that  were  I  placed  in  his  situation,  I  should 
hesitate  whether  to  consider  these  birds  most  as  friends  or  enemies,  as 
they  are  particularly  destructve  to  alni(i>t  all  the  nox;  )us  worms,  grubs, 
and  caterpillars,  that  infest  his  fields,  which,  were  they  allowed  to  mul- 
tiply unmolested,  would  soon  consume  nine-tenths  of  all  the  production 
of  his  labor,  and  desolate  the  country  with  the  miseries  of  fainini>  !  Is 
not  this  aimther  striking  proof  that  the  Deity  has  created  nothing  in 
vain ;  and  that  it  is  the  <luty  of  nan,  the  lord  of  the  creation,  to  avail 
himself  of  their  usefulness,  and  I'uard  a<Minst  their  bad  effects  as 
securely    as   possible,    without    indulging    in    the    barbaroi  iid   even 

impious,  wish  for  their  utter  t-xterinination  ? 

'  The  Purple  Grakle  is  twelve  inches  long,  and  eighteen  in  extent ;  on 
a  slight  view  seems  wholly  black,  but  placed  near,  in  a  good  light,  the 
whole  head,  neck,  and  breast  appear  of  a  rich  glossy  steel  blue,  dark 
violet,  and  silky  green;  the  violet  prevails  most  on  the  head  and  breast, 
and  the  green  on  the  hind  part  of  the  neck  ;  the  back,  rump,  and  whole 
lower  parts,  the  breast  excepted,  reflect  a  strong  coppery  gloss;  wing- 
coverts,  secondaries,  and  coverts  of  the  tail,  rich  light  violet,  in  which 
the  red  prevails  ;  the  rest  of  the  wings,  and  cuneiform  tail,  are  black, 
glossed  with  steel  blue.  All  tlie  above  colors  arc  extremely  shining, 
varying  as  differently  exposed  to  the  light;  iris  of  the  eye  silvery;  bill 
more  than  an  inch  long,  strong,  and  furnished  on  the  inside  of  the  upper 
mandililc  with  a  sliavn  process,  like  the  stump  of  the  broken  blade  of  a 
penknife,  intended  to  assist  the  bird  in  masticating  iis  food  ;  tongue  thin, 
bifid  at  the  end,  and  lacerated  along  the  sides. 

Tile  female  is  rather  less;  htn  the  u[)per  part  of  tin-  head,  neck,  and 
the  back,  of  a  dark  sooty  brown ;  chin  breast,  and  belly  dull  pale 
brown,  lightest  on  the  former;  wings,  tail,  !ower  parts  of  the  back  and 
vent  black,  with  a  few  reflections  of  dark  green  ;  legs,  feet,  bill,  anil 
eyes  as  in  the  male. 

The  Purple  (Jrakle  is  ca»sily  tamed,  and  sings  in  confinement.  They 
have  also,  in  several  instances,  been  taught  to  articulate  some  few  words 
pretty  distinctly. 


PURPLE    GRAKLE. 


169 


A  singula!  attachment  frequently  takes  place  between  this  binl  and 
the  Fi.sh-IIawk.  The  nest  of  this  latter  is  of  very  largo  dimensions, 
often  from  three  to  four  feet  in  breadth,  and  from  four  to  five  feet  high ; 
composed,  externally,  of  large  sticks  or  faggots,  among  the  interstices 
of  which  Hometinu'.s  three  or  four  pairs  of  Crow  Blackbirds  will  con- 
struct their  nests,  while  the  Hawk  is  sitting  or  hatching  above.  Here 
each  pursues  the  duties  of  incubation,  and  of  rearing  their  young ; 
living  in  the  greatest  harmony,  and  mutually  watching  and  protecting 
each  other's  property  from  depredators. 


Note. — The  Oracula  quiscnla  of  the  tenth  edition  of  the  Systema 
Naturcf  was  established  upon  Catosby's  Purple  Jackdaw.     This  bird  is 
C(mimon  in  Carolina,  Georgia,  and  Florida,  whore  it  is  still  known  by 
the  name  of  Jackdaw ;  whereas  the  Purple  Graklc  of  Wilson  is  called 
Blackbird,  or  Crow  Blackbird.     The  latter  is  also  common  in  the  states 
south  of  Virginia;  but  the  Jackihiw,  after  rearing  its  young,  retires 
further  south  on  the  approach  of  winter;  whereas  the  Purple  Graklo 
liyemates  in  the  southern  section  of  our  Union,  and  migrates,  in  the 
spring,  to  the  Middle  and  Northern  States  to  breed.     The  female  of  the 
Crow  Blackl)ird  is  dark  sooty-brown  and  black  ;  the  female  of  the  Jack- 
daw is   "all  over  brown,"   agrcciilily   to  Catisliy;^  <lescription.     This 
author  states  the  weight  of  the  Jackdaw  to  bo  six  ounces :  the  weight 
of  the  Crow  Blackbird  seMom  exceeils  four  ounces  a7id  a  half.     That 
the  two  species  have  been  confounded  there  is  no  doubt ;   and  it  is  not 
easy  to  disembroil  tlir  confusion   into  which  thoy  have  been   thrown  by 
naturalists,  who  have  never  had  an  opportunity  of  visiting  the  native 
regions  of  both.     It  is  evident  that  Catesby  thought  there  was  but  one 
species  of  these  birds  in  Carolina,  otherwise  he  would  have  discovered 
that  those  which  he  oliservcd  during  tlic  winter  in  great  flocks,  were  dif- 
ferent from  his  Jackdaws,  which  is  the  proper  summer  resident  of  that 
State,  although  it  is  probal)le  that  some  of  the  Crow  Blackbirds  are  also 
indigenous,     '{'he  true  (iracuhi  barlta  of  Liniiious  is  wnX  yet  satisfac- 
torily ascertained;  the  Boat-tailed  (iraklc  of  Latham's  General  Synop- 
sis is  uiKiuestionably  the  Pur{>le  Grakle  of  Wilson.     The  best  figures 
of  the  Pur|)lc  Jackdaw  which  we  have  seen,  are  those  given  in  Bona- 
parte's Orni'.liiilogy,  vol.  1,  pi.  4.     They  were  drawn  by  Mr.  Alexander 
Kider  of  I'liiladelpliia,  (not   by  Mr.  Audubon,  as  is  stated.)  from  speci- 
mens brought  from  East  Florida  by  Mr.  Titian  Pealo  and  myself. — 
a.  Ord. 


iA 


i^-: 


Genus  XX.    CUCULUS.    CUCKOO  * 
SrEciES  I.     CUCULUS  CAIiOLINESSIS. 

YELLOW-BILLED  CUCKOO. 

[flat*  XXVIII.    Fig.  1.] 

Cuntlus  Americannn,  Linn.  Sysl.  cd.  10,  p.  111.— Catisb.  i.,  9.— Lath,  i.,  537.— 
Le  Coucou  de  In  Caroline,  Brink,  iv.,  \\'2.—Arct.  7,o<>l.  •-'(>.'),  No.  IS,"). 

A  STRANOKR  who  visit.s  the  Fiiitod  Stiitcw  for  th<'  imrposo  of  oxiimiii- 
iiif  their  iiiitiirnl  productions,  ami  passes  throuf^li  our  woods  in  tho  mouth 
of  May  or  Jane,  will  sonu'tiuuvs  hear  as  he  traverses  the  horders  (.f  deep, 
retired,  high  timbered  hollows,  an  uncouth  guttural  Hound  or  note,  re- 
sembling the  syllables  Avmv,  kowe,  koice  kowe  kowr  !  beginning  slowly, 
but  ending  so  rai)idly,  that  the  notes  seem  to  run  into  each  other,  and 
vice  versa  ;  he  will  hear  this  frequently  without  being  able  to  discover 
tho  bird  or  animal  from  which  it  proceeds,  «fl  it  is  both  shy  and  solitary, 
seeking  always  the  thickest  foliage  for  concealment.  This  is  the  Yel- 
low-billed Cuckoo,  the  subject  of  the  present  account.  From  the  imita- 
tive sound  of  its  note,  it  is  known  in  many  parts  by  tho  name  of  the 
Cow-bird;  it  is  also  callc<l  in  Virginia  the  Rain-Orow,  being  observed  to 
bo  most  clamorous  imme<liately  before  rain. 

This  .species  arrives  in  Pennsylvania,  from  the  south,  al)out  the  twenty- 
second  of  April,  and  spreads  over  the  country  as  far  at  leiust  as  Lake 
Ontario  ;  is  numerous  in  the  Chickasaw  and  Choctaw  nations  ;  and  also 
bree<ls  in  the  upper  parts  of  Georgia  :  pn-feri-ing  in  all  these  places  the 
bonlers  of  .solitary  swamps  and  aj)ple-orehards.  It  leaves  us,  on  its 
return  southward,  about  tiie  middle  of  Sej)teml)er. 

The  singuhir,  I  will  not  say  unnatural,  conduct  of  the  European  Cuckoo, 
(CiiculuH  I'ttnorux),  which  never  constructs  a  nest  for  itself,  but  drops  its 
eggs  in  those  of  other  birds,  and  abandons  them  to  their  mercy  and 
maiiagement,  is  so  universally  known,  and  so  proverbial,  that  the  whole 
tribe  of  Cuckoos  have,  by  some  inconsiderate  people,  been  stigmatized 
as  destitute  of  all  parental  care  and  affection.  Without  attempting  to 
account  for  this  remarkable  habit  of  the  European  species,  far  less  to 
consider  as  an  error  what  the  wisdom  of  Heaven  has  imposed  as  a  duty 

*  This  penus  has  boen  considerably  reatrioted  by  recent  ornitholoi^'iHts.  Tho  two 
•pecies  referred  by  WilHon  to  their  gonuH  belong  to  tho  genuH  Coccyrus  of  Vieillot, 
adopted  by  Tomminck. 

(100) 


6  14^;:  ;r-' 


-IP 


YELLOW- HILLED  CUCKOO. 


161 


on  tlic  species,  T  will  only  roniark,  tliiit  tlio  hinl  now  before  us  l)uilils  its 
own  nest,  hiitelies  its  own  ej,'};s,  and  rears  its  own  yoniif;; ;  ami  in  conju- 
gal anil  parental  affection  seeuis  nowise  behind  any  of  its  neighbors  of 
the  grove. 

Early  in  May  they  begin  to  piiir,  when  obstinate  buttles  take  ploce 
among  the  nniles.  About  the  tenth  of  that  month  they  ronunenco 
building.  The  nest  is  u.Mually  fixed  among  the  horizontal  branches  of  an 
apple-tree ;  sometimes  in  a  solitary  thorn,  crab  or  cedar,  in  some  retired 
part  of  the  woods.  It  is  eonstrueteil  with  little  art,  and  scarcely  any 
concavity,  of  small  sticks  and  twigs,  intermixed  with  green  weeds,  and 
blossoms  of  the  common  maple.  On  this  almost  flat  bed,  the  eggs, 
usually  three  or  four  in  nundcv,  are  placed  ;  these  are  of  a  uniform 
greenish  blue  color,  and  of  a  size  proportionabb;  to  that  of  the  bird. 
While  the  female  is  sitting,  the  male  is  generally  not  far  distaiu,  and 
gives  the  alarm  by  his  notes,  when  any  person  is  approaching.  Tho 
female  sits  so  clo.se,  that  you  may  almost  reach  her  with  your  hand,  and 
then  precipitates  herself  to  the  ground,  feigning  lameness,  to  draw  you 
awa^'  from  the  spot,  fluttering,  trailing  her  wings,  and  tund)ling  ov.'r,  in 
tho  manner  of  the  Partridge,  Woodcock,  and  many  other  species.  Both 
parent.s  unite  in  providing  food  for  the  young.  This  consists  for  the 
most  part  of  caterpillars,  particularly  such  as  infest  apple-trees.  Tho 
same  insects  constitute  the  chief  ])art  of  their  own  sustenance.  They 
are  accu.sed,  and  with  some  justice,  of  sucking  the  eggs  of  other  birds, 
like  the  Crow,  the  IJluc  Jay,  and  other  ])illagcrs.  They  also  occasion- 
ally eat  various  kinds  of  berries.  Hut  from  the  circumstance  of  destroy, 
ing  such  numbers  of  very  noxious  larvic,  they  prove  themselves  the 
friends  of  the  farmer,  and  are  highly  deserving  of  his  protection. 

Tho  Yellow-billed  Cuckoo  is  thirteen  inches  long,  and  sixteen  inches 
in  extent ;  the  wliole  U])per  parts  arc  of  a  ilark  glossy  <lrab,  or  what  is 
usually  called  a  Quaker  color,  with  greenish  silky  nllectinns ;  from  this 
must  however  be  excepted,  tho  inner  vanes  of  the  wings,  which  are  bright 
reddish  cinnamon  ;  the  tail  is  long,  C((mposed  of  ten  feathers,  the  two 
middle  ones  being  of  the  same  color  as  the  back,  the  others  which  gra- 
dually shorten  to  the  exterior  ones,  are  black,  largely  tijjped  with  white; 
the  two  outer  ones  are  scarcely  half  the  length  of  the  middle  one;  the 
whole  lower  parts  are  ])ure  white* ;  the  feathers  covering  the  thighs  being 
largo  like  those  of  the  Hawk  tribe;  the  lens  and  feet  are  lidit  blue,  the 
toes  placed  two  before,  and  two  behind,  as  in  the  rest  of  the  genus;  the 
bill  is  long,  a  little  bent,  very  broad  at  the  base,  dusky  black  above,  and 
yellow  below;  the  eye  hazel,  feathered  close  to  tho  eyeli<l,  which  is  yel- 
low. The  female  differs  little  from  the  nude;  the  four  middle  tail- 
feathers  in  her  are  of  the  same  uniform  drab;  and  the  white,  with  which 
tho  others  are  tipped,  not  so  pure  as  in  the  male. 

In  examining  this  bird  by  dissection,  the  inner  membrane  of  the  giz- 
VoL.  L— 11 


162 


BLACK-BILLED    CUCKOO. 


zard,  which  in  many  other  species  is  so  hard  and  muscular,  in  this  is 
extremely  Hx  and  soft,  capable  of  great  distension ;  and,  what  is  re- 
markable, is  covered  with  a  growtli  of  fine  down  or  hair,  of  a  light  fawn 
color.  It  is  difficult  to  ascertain  the  particular  purjwse  which  nature 
intends  by  this  excrescence ;  perhaps  it  may  serve  to  shield  the  tender 
parts  from  the  irritating  effects  produced  by  the  hairs  of  certain  jater- 
pillars,  some  of  which  are  said  t^.  jo  almost  equal  to  the  sting  of  a 
nettle. 


Species  II.     crCULrS  ERYTHROriITnALMUS. 

BLACK-BILLED    CUCKOO. 

[Plate  XXVIII.    Fig.  2.] 

This  Cuckoo  is  nearly  as  numerous  as  the  former ;  but  has  hitherto 
escaped  the  notice  of  J)uropean  naturalists ;  or  from  its  general  resem- 
blance has  been  coiifouiidc'l  -vith  the  preceding.  Its  particular  mark- 
ings, however,  and  some  of  its  habits,  sufficiently  charactciir^e  it  as  a 
distinct  species.  Its  general  color  above  is  nearly  that  of  the  former, 
inclining  more  to  a  pale  ash  on  the  cheeks  and  front ;  it  is  about  an  inch 
less  in  length  ;  the  tail  is  of  a  uniform  dark  silky  drab,  except  at  the  tip, 
whore  each  feather  is  niark('(|  witii  a  spot  of  white,  bordered  above  with 
a  slight  touch  of  dull  black  ;  'le  l-ill  is  wholly  black,  and  much  smaller 
than  til!  '  of  the  preceding;  and  it  \v;mts  the  bright  cinnamon  on  the 
wings,  liut  what  constitutes  its  must  distinguishing  trait  is  a  bare 
wrinkled  skin,  of  a  dctp  red  color,  that  surrounds  the  eye.  The  tV'niale 
differs  little  in  external  appearance  from  the  male. 

The  IJIack-billcd  Cuckoo  is  pnrticularly  fond  of  the  sides  of  creeks, 
feeding  on  sniull  shi'll-fi-<h,  snail-'.  iVc.  I  have  also  often  found  broken 
pieces  of  oyster-shells  in  its  gizzard,  which,  like  tiiat  of  tlir  other,  is 
covered  with  fine  downy  hair 

The  nest  of  this  bird  is  ni—r  commonly  built  in  a  cedar,  much  in  tbc 
same  nnmnci.  and  of  nearly  th<'  .■•amc  materials,  as  that  of  tlic  other; 
but  the  eggs  are  suuiUer,  usually  tour  or  'ive  in  number,  and  of  a  rather 
deeper  greenish  blue. 

This  bird  is  likewise  t'oiuid  in  the  stole  of  Georgia,  and  has  not  escaped 
the  notice  of  Mr.  Abbot,  \slio  is  satisfied  of  its  being  a  distinct  species 
from  the  preceding. 


Genus  XXIT.    TICUS.     WOODPECKER. 
Si-F-ciES  I.     riCUS  PRINCIPALIS. 

IVORY-BILLED    WOODPECKER. 

[Plate  XXIX.    Fig.  1.] 

IHctis  pvinripiilis,  Linn.  Si/st.  i.,  p.  173,  2. — (Jmel.  Si/.if  p.  42^.— Pirux  niger 
CaroUncnsis  aislatits,  15r's«,  iv.,  p.  20,  'J. — Pic  itdr  a  'inr  lilaiic,  Eckf.  vii., 
p.  46. — PI.  Eld.  090 — King  of  the  Wvudpeckers.  K.\i.M.  vol.  ii.,  p.  85. —  White- 
billed  U'iifi(lj):'rh(i',  C.^tesu.  Car.  i.,  10. — Arrt.Ziinl  ii.,  .To.  150. — Lath.  .St/h,  ii., 
p.  5,5;?. — HAiirRAM,  p.  'JS'.». 

This   iiiajestic   iiiid  form!  l!it)lo  .species,   in  .strcngtli  and  magnitude, 
stand-*  ;it    I  lie  luad  of  tlie  wlwde   ela.s.s   of  Woodpeckers  liitlierto  dis- 
covered.    Jle  nuiy  be  called  the  king  or  cliief  of  lii.s  tril)e ;  and  Nature 
seems  to  have  designed  Inm  a  distinguished  characteristic,  in  the  superb 
earni'.ne  crest,  ami  hill  of  polish'  1  ivory,  with  which  she  has  orniuiiente<l 
Idin.     Hi.s  eye  is  brilliant  and  daring;  and  his  whole  frame  so  admira- 
bly adapted  for  his  nioile  of  life,  and  method  of  procuring  subsistence, 
a.'<  to  impress  on  the  mind  of  the  L'.\aminer  the  most  reverential  ideas  of 
the  Creator,     llis  manners  have  also  a  dignity  in  them  superior  to  the 
common  herd  of  Woodpeckers.     Trees,  shrubbery,  orchards,  rails,  fence- 
jiosts,  and  old   prostrate  logs,  are  alike   interesting   to  those,   in  their 
humble  and  indefatigable  search  for  prey  •  but   the  royal  hunter  now 
before  us,  St  irns  the  humility  of  such  situations,  and  seeks  the  most 
towering  trees  of  the  forest ;  seeming  particularly  attached  to  those  pro- 
digiou;i  cypress  swamps,  whose  crowded  giant  sons  stretch  their  bare 
and  blasted,  or  moss-hung,  arms  midway  to  the  skies.      In  these  almost 
inaccessible  recesses,  amid  ruinous  piles  of  impending  timber,  his  trum- 
pet-like note,  and   hm  1   strike-,   resound   tlirough    the  solitary,  savage 
wilds,  of  which   he  seems  'be  sole  lord   and  inhabitant.     Wlu'ri'ver  he 
frequents,  he  leaves  ninnerou.s  monuments  of  his  industry  lii'liind  him. 
We  there  see  encn-mous  pine-trees,  with  cart-loads  of  bark  lying  arouml 
their  rnuts,  and  chips  of  thr  trunk  iisc'l"  in  such  (piantities,  as  to  suggest 
the  i'lea  th:it  half  a  do/.en  of  a.xemen  iiad  been  at  work  for  the  whcde 
morning.     The  body  of  the  tree  is  also  disfigured  with  such  numerou.s 
and  so  large  excavations,  that  one  can  hardly  conceive  it  possil)le  for  the 
wliide  to  be  the  work   of  a  Wooilpecker.      With  such  strength,   and  an 
apparatus  so  powerful,  what  havoc  might  he  not  commit,  if  numerous, 
on  the  most  useful  td"  otir  forest  trees;   and  yet  with  nil   these  appear- 

(103) 


11,    !.,!- 


164 


IVORY-BILLHD    WOODPECKER. 


m 


.:  i 


ances,  and  niurli  of  vulgar  piojudic-e  against  him,  it  may  fairly  be  ques- 
tioned whether  ho  is  at  all  injurious;  or,  at  least,  whether  his  exertions 
do   not   contribute  most   jiowerfully  to   the  protection  of  our  timber. 
Examine  closely  the  tree  where  lie  lias  been  at  work,  and  you  will  soon 
perceive,  that  it  is  neither  fr-im  motives  of  mischief  nor  amusement  that 
he  slices  off  the  bark,  or  digs  his  way  into  the  trunk.     For  the  sound 
and  healthy  tree  is  not  in  the  least  the  object  of  his  attention.     The 
diseaHeil,  infested  with  insects,  and  hastening  to  putrefaction,  are  his 
favorites :  there  the  deadly  crawling  enemy  have  formed  a  lodgment, 
between  the  bark  and  tender  wood,  to  dnnl.   up  the  very  vital  part  of 
■the  tree,     it  is  the  ravages  of  these  vermm  which  the  intelligent  pro- 
prietor of  the  forest  dejdores,  as  the  sole  perpetrators  of  the  destruction 
of  his  timber.     Would  it  be  believed  that  the  larvai  of  an  insect,  or  lly, 
no  larger  than  a  grain  of  rice,  shouhl  silently,  and  in  one  season,  destroy 
some  thousand  acres  of  pine  trees,  many  of  them  from  two  to  three  feet 
in  diameter,  and  a  hundred  and  fifty  feet  high  !     Yet  whoever  passes 
along  the  high  road  from  Georgetown  to  Charleston,  in  South  Carolina, 
about  twentv  miles  from  the  former  place,  can  have  striking  and  melan- 
cholv  proofs  of  this  fact.     In  some  places  the  whole  woods,  as  far  as 
you  can  see  around  you,  are  dead,  stripped  of  the  bark,  their  wintry- 
lookinir  arms  an<l  bare  trunks  bleaching  in   the  sun,  and  tumbling  ii, 
ruins  before  every  blast,  presenting  a  frightful  pictune  of  desolation. 
And  yet  ignorance  an<l  prejudice  stubbornly  persist  in  directing  their 
indignation  against  the  bird   now  before  us,  the  con*<tant  and   mortal 
cncmv  of  these  very  vermin,  as  if  the  hand  that  probed  the  wound,  to 
extract  its  cause,  should  be  e(|ually  detested  with  that  which  inflicted  it ; 
or  as  if  the  thief-cateluT  should  be  confounded  with  tlu'   thief.      Until 
some  effectual  preventive,  or  iiku'c  complete  mode  of  dcstrueiion.  can  bo 
devised  against  these  insects,  and  their  larvae  I  would  humlily  'Uggest 
tlie  propriety  of  protecting,  and  receiving  with  proper  feelings  uf  grati- 
tude, the  services  of  tiiis  and  the  whole  tribe  of  Woodpeckers,  letting  the 
odium  of  guilt  fall  to  its  jm^per  owners. 

In  looking  over  the  uccounts  given  of  the  Ivory -billed  Woodpecker 
by  the  naturali>ts  of  Europe,  I  fiti'l  it  asserted,  that  it  inhabits  from 
New  Jersey  to  Mexico.  I  believe,  however,  that  few  of  them  are  ever 
seen  to  the  north  of  Virginia,  and  very  few  of  them  even  in  that  state. 
The  fir.-t  place  I  observed  this  bird  at.  when  on  my  way  to  the  S(Uith, 
wa-  about  twelve  miles  north  of  Wilmington,  in  Nurth  Carolina.  There 
I  fnund  the  bir(l  from  which  the  drawing  of  the  figure  in  the  plate  was 
taken.  This  bird  was  only  wounded  slightly  in  the  wing,  and  on  being 
caiiL'lit.  uttered  a  h>udly-reiterated,  ami  mi>st  piteous  note,  exactly  rc- 
senibliiii'  the  violent  crvinc  of  a  vou;iLr  ehild  ;  which  terrified  mv  horse 
so,  a.s  nearly  to  have  cost  me  my  life,  it  was  distressing  to  hear  it.  I 
carried  it  with  m«,'  in  tli<  rliair,  under  cover,  to  Wilmiiigton.     In  passing 


* 


rr 

il:\ 


IVORY-BILLED    WOODPECKER. 


165 


through  the  streets,  its  affecting  cries  surprised  every  one  within  hearing, 
particularly  the  females,  who  liurried  to  the  doors  and  windows,  with 
looks  of  ahirni  and  anxiety,  I  drove  on,  and  on  arriving  at  tlie  piazza 
of  the  hotel,  where  I  intended  to  put  up,  the  landlord  came  forward, 
and  a  number  of  other  persons  who  happened  to  he  there,  all  ecjualiy 
alarmed  at  wliat  tliey  hoard  ;  this  was  greatly  increased  by  my  a.-^king 
whether  he  could  furnisli  me  with  accommodations  for  myself  and  my 
bal)y.  The  man  looked  blank,  and  foolish,  while  the  others  stared  with 
still  greater  astonishment.  iVfter  diverting  myself  for  a  minute  or  two 
at  their  expense,  I  drew  my  Woodj)ecker  from  under  the  cover,  and  a 
general  laugh  took  place.  I  took  him  up  stairs,  and  locked  him  up  in 
my  room,  while  I  went  to  see  my  horse  taken  care  of.  In  less  than  an 
hour  I  returned,  an<l  on  opening  the  d()()r  he  set  up  the  same  distressing 
sliout,  which  now  apjieared  to  proceed  from  the  grief  that  he  had  been 
discovered  in  his  attempts  at  escape.  He  had  mounted  along  the  side 
of  the  window,  nearly  as  high  as  the  ceiling,  a  little  below  which  he  had 
begun  to  break  tbrough.  The  bed  was  covereil  with  large  pieces  of 
plaster ;  the  latli  was  exposed  for  at  least  fifteen  inches  s(^uare,  and  a 
hole,  large  enough  to  admit  the  fist,  opened  to  tlie  weather-boards ;  so 
that  in  less  than  another  hour  he  would  certainly  have  succeedeil  in 
making  his  way  through.  1  now  tied  a  string  round  his  leg,  and  fasten- 
ing it  to  the  table,  again  left  him.  I  wished  to  preserve  his  life,  and 
had  gone  off  in  search  of  suitable  food  for  him.  As  I  rea.sceii(led  the 
stairs,  I  heard  him  again  hard  at  work,  and  on  entering  had  the  morti- 
fication to  perceive  that  he  had  almost  entirely  ruined  the  mahogany 
tabU-  to  which  he  was  fastened,  and  on  wliieh  lie  had  wreaked  his  wliole 
venizeance.  ^Vhile  enjiajjed  in  takinj'  the  drawinj:,  he  cut  me  sevirelv 
in  several  jilaces,  and  on  the  whole,  displayeil  such  a  noble  and  uneon- 
(pierable  spirit,  that  I  was  freiiueiitly  tem])ted  to  restore  him  to  his 
native  woods,  lie  liveil  with  me  nearly  three  days,  but  refused  all 
Bustenance,  and  I  witnessed  his  death  with  regret. 

The  liead  and  bill  of  this  bird  is  in  great  esteem  among  the  southern 
Imlians.  who  wear  them  by  way  of  amulet  or  charm,  as  well  as  orna- 
nirht  ;  and,  it  is  said,  dispose  of  them  to  the  northern  tribes  at  eoiisider- 
abie  prices.  An  Indian  believes  that  the  head,  skin,  or  even  featliers 
of  certain  birds,  confer  on  the  wearer  all  the  virtues  or  excellencies  of 
those  liirds.     Thus  I  have  seen    a  coat  made  of  the   s'  ads  ai,d 

claws  of  th(>  liaven  ;  caps  stuck  round  with  heads  of  i>u.viier-birds. 
Hawks  and  Kagles ;  aTid  as  the  disposition  and  courage  of  the  Ivory- 
billed  Woodpecker  are  well  known  to  the  savages,  no  wonder  they  should 
attach  great  value  to  it.  having  both  beauty,  and,  in  their  estimation, 
distinguished  merit  to  recommend  it. 

This  bird  is  not  migratory,  hut  resident  in  the  countries  where  ii  in- 
habits.   In  the  low  counties  {  f  the  Carolinaa,  it  usually  prefers  the  large- 


mm^'mtmnt 


mmm 


Ij;fi!  ' 


166 


IVORY-BILLED    WOODPECKER. 


timbered  cypress  swamps  for  breeding  in.  In  tlie  trunk  of  .me  of  thcsb 
trees,  at  a  considerable  beight,  tbe  male  and  female  alt(  inately,  and  in 
conjunction,  dig  out  a  large  and  capacious  cavity  for  tbeir  eggs  and 
voung.  Trees  tiius  dug  out  liave  fre(|uently  been  cut  down,  with  some- 
times the  efl'S's  and  voimi'  in  thorn.  This  hole  accordin;'  to  information, 
for  I  have  never  seen  one  mj'self,  is  generally  a  liitlc  winding,  ihe  better 
to  keep  out  the  weather,  and  from  two  to  five  feet  deej).  The  eggs  are 
said  to  be  generally  four,  sometimes  five,  as  large  as  a  pullet's,  i)ure 
white,  and  eiiually  thick  at  both  ends  ;  a  description  that,  excej)t  in  size, 
very  nearly  agrees  with  all  the  rest  of  our  Woodpeckers.  The  young 
begin  to  be  seen  abroad  al>out  the  middle  of  June.  Wliether  they  breed 
more  than  once  in  the  same  season  is  uncertain. 

So  little  attention  do  the  people  of  the  countries  where  these  birds 
inhabit,  pay  to  the  minutiae  of  natural  liistory,  that,  generally  speaking, 
they  make  no  distinction  between  the  Ivory-billed  and  I'ileated  Wood- 
pecker. rej)resented  in  the  same  jilate  ;  anil  it  was  not  till  I  showed 
them  the  two  birds  together,  that  they  knew  of  any  diflerence.  The 
more  intelligent  and  observing  part  of  the  natives,  however,  distinguish 
tlu'm  by  the  name  of  tht'  large  and  lesser  Ijoifcovks.  'I'liey  seldctm  ex- 
amine them  but  at  a  distanci-,  gun])owder  being  considered  too  juecious 
to  be  thrown  away  on  Woodj)eckers ;  nothing  less  than  a  Turkey  being 
thought  worth  the  value  of  a  load. 

The  food  of  this  bird  consists,  I  lu'lieve,  entirely  of  insects  and  their 
larvae.  The  Pileated  Woodpecker  is  sus])ected  of  sonu'timcs  tasting  the 
Lillian  corn  ;  the  Ivory-billeil  never.  Mis  cimnnon  note,  rej)euted  every 
three  or  four  seconds,  very  unich  resembles  the  tone  of  a  trumpet,  or  the 
high  note  of  a  clarionet,  and  can  })laiidy  be  distinguished  at  the  distance 
of  more  tii.'in  half  a  mile;  sermin;;  to  be  innnediateiv  at  band.  thou;;h 
perhaj)s  more  than  one  hundred  yards  oft'.  This  it  utters  while  mount- 
ing along  the  trunk,  or  digging  into  it.  At  these  times  it  has  a  stately 
and  novel  aj>pearance;  and  the  note  instantly  attracts  the  notice  of  a 
stranger.  Along  tlie  borders  of  the  Havannah  river,  between  Savannah 
and  Augusta,  I  found  them  very  fi'equently ;  but  my  horse  no  sooner 
iieard  their  trumj)et-like  note,  than  remembering  his  fornur  alarm,  he 
became  almost  ungovernable. 

The  Ivory-billed  W( odpecker  is  twenty  inches  long,  and  thirty  inches 
in  extent ;  the  general  color  is  black,  with  a  considerable  gloss  of  green 
when  exposed  to  a  good  light;  iris  of  the  eye  vivid  yellow;  nostrils 
covered  with  recumbent  white  hairs;  fore  |)art  of  the  head  black,  rest 
of  the  crest  of  a  most  splenditl  red,  spotted  at  the  bottom  with  white, 
which  is  only  seen  when  the  crest  is  erected,  us  represented  in  the  jdnU' ; 
this  l<»ng  red  plumage  being  a.sli-colored  at  its  base,  above  that  white, 
and  ending  in  brilliant  ri'd ;  a  stripe  of  white  proceeds  from  a  point, 
abuut  half  an  inch  bdow  each  eye,  passes  down  each  side  of  the  neck, 


fJ   I 


PILEATED    WOODPECKER. 


167 


and  along  the  back,  whore  they  are  about  an  incli  apart,  nearly  to  the 
rump ;  tlic  first  five  j)riniaries  arc  wholly  black,  on  the  next  five  the 
white  spreads  from  the  tip  higher  and  higher  to  the  secondaries,  which 
are  wholly  white  from  their  coverts  downwards :  these  markings,  when 
the  wings  are  shut,  make  the  bird  appear  as  if  hia  back  were  white, 
h.nce  he  has  been  called,  by  some  of  our  naturalists,  the  large  White- 
backed  Woodpecker ;  the  neck  is  lung ;  the  beuk  an  inch  broad  at  the 
base,  of  the  color  and  consistence  of  ivory,  prodigiously  strong,  and  ele- 
gantly fluted;  the  tail  is  black,  tapering  from  the  two  exterior  feathers, 
whiel)  are  three  inches  shorter  tiiaii  tiie  niiilille  ones,  and  each  feather 
has  the  singularity  of  being  greatly  concave  below;  the  wing  is  lined 
with  yellowish  white ;  the  legs  are  about  an  inch  and  a  quarter  long,  the 
exterior  toe  about  the  same  length,  tlie  claws  exactly  stniicircular  and 
remarkably  powerful,  the  whoh;  of  a  iigbt  blue  or  lead  color.  The 
female  is  al)out  half  an  inch  sliorter,  tlie  1)111  rather  less,  and  the  whole 
plumage  of  the  hea<l  black,  glossed  with  green  ;  in  the  other  parts  of 
the  ])liiniage  she  exactly  resembles  the  male.  In  the  stomachs  of  three 
which  I  opened,  I  found  large  (luantities  of  a  species  of  worm  called 
borers,  two  or  three  inches  long,  of  a  dirty  cream-color,  with  a  black 
head ;  the  stomach  was  an  oblong  pouch,  not  muscular  like  the  gizzards 
of  some  others.  The  tongue  was  worm-shape<l,  and  for  half  an  inch  at 
the  tip  as  hinl  as  horn,  flat,  pointdU  of  tlii"  same  white  color  a>  the  bill, 
and  thickly  barbed  on  each  side. 


Srtcus  II.     PlCl'f^  PlLKATi'S. 

Pn.EATED  WOODPKCKKR. 

[Plate  XXIX.    Fig,  S.j 

Pieii.i  pHentun,  Lath.  Ind.  Oni.  i.,  p,  'J'J.'i,  4.  —  liiw.  Si/st.  i.,  p.  173.  3. — Omel. 
Sy.it.  I.,  p  42').— /'(V«.«  nifjerViniinuinuixriiitiilu.i,  Urish.  iv.,  p.  23,  10. — I'irnoir 
<i  huftfic  loiii/)',  UvTV.  VII.,  p.  4h. —  /Ye  unir  huppe  de  la  LouiiiiiHc,  I'l.  Kill.  718. 
—  Luii/er  lyiiiU'l  H'mnijierKti;  Catksh.  far.  i.,  17. — I'ilutitit  ty.iiiiliiicker,  Arct. 
Ziicl.  II.,  No.  l.")7. — L.vTU.  Sijii.w,.  p.  ,").Vl,  ,!.~Icl.  Sup.  |).  Id.').  — !1.\htr,\m,  p.  l!,sit. 

Tm.-i  .American  species  is  the  second  in  "^i/.e  ainong  his  trib(>,  and  may 
bo  styled  the  (Jrenl  Northern  Chief  of  the  Woodpeckers,  thougli,  in 
fact,  his  range  extends  over  the  whole  of  the  Ignited  States,  from  th(> 
interior  of  Canada  to  the  (iidf  of  Mexico,  lie  is  very  numerous  in  the 
(ieiiesee  country,  and  in  all  the  tracts  of  high-tiiiibire<l  forests,  particu- 
larly in  the  neigliboihood  of  our  large  rivers,  wliere  he  is  noted  for 
making  a  loud  and  almost  incessant  cackling  before  wet  weather;  Hying 


iwar^JWw^fV'jr^ 


iTff 


i 


UI& 


1 


les 


PILEATED    WOODPECKER. 


.r: 


.^1 


at  such  times  in  a  restless  uneasy  manner  from  tree  to  tree,  making  the 
woods  echo  to  liis  outcry.  In  I'ennsylvania,  and  the  Northern  States, 
he  is  called  the  Black  Woodcock ;  in  the  Southern  States,  the  Logcock. 
Almost  every  old  trunk  in  the  forest,  where  he  resides,  bears  the  marks 
of  his  chisel.  Wherever  he  perceives  a  tree  beginning  to  decay,  he  ex- 
amines it  round  and  round  with  great  skill  and  dexterity,  strips  off  the 
Ijark  in  slieets  of  five  or  six  feet  in  length  to  get  at  the  hi<lden  cause  of 
tlie  disease,  and  labors  with  a  gayety  and  activity  really  surprising.  I 
have  seen  him  separate  the  greatest  part  of  the  bark  from  a  large  dead 
pine-trtH),  for  twenty  or  thirty  feet,  in  less  than  a  quarter  of  an  hour. 
AVhcther  engaged  in  flying  from  tree  to  tree,  in  digging,  climbing  or 
barking,  he  seems  perpetually  in  a  hurry.  lie  is  extremely  hard  to  kill, 
clinging  close  to  the  tree  even  after  he  has  received  his  mortal  wound  ; 
nor  yiehling  up  his  hold  but  with  his  expiring  breath.  If  slightly 
wounded  in  the  wing,  and  dropped  while  Hying,  he  instantly  makes  for 
the  nearest  tree,  and  strikes,  with  great  bitterness,  at  the  hand  stretched 
out  to  seize  him  ;  and  can  rarely  be  reconciled  to  confinement  He  is 
sometimes  observed  among  the  hills  of  Indian  corn,  and  it  is  =iaid  by 
some  that  he  frequently  feeds  on  it.  Complaints  of  this  kind  are,  how- 
ever, not  general ;  many  farmers  doubting  the  fact,  and  conceiving  that 
at  these  timw  he  is  in  search  of  insects  which  lie  concealed  in  the  husk. 
I  will  not  be  positive  that  they  never  occasionally  taste  maize ;  yet  I 
have  opened  and  examined  great  numbers  of  these  birds,  killed  in  va- 
rious j)arts  of  the  United  States,  from  Lake  Ontario  to  the  Altamaha 
river,  but  never  found  a  grain  of  Indian  corn  in  their  stomachs. 

The  Pileated  Woodpecker  is  not  migratory,  but  braves  the  extremes  of 
both  thenrctie  and  torrid  regions.  Neither  is  he  gregarious,  for  it  is  rare 
to  see  more  than  (me  or  two,  or  at  the  most  three,  in  company.  For- 
merly tiny  were  numerous  in  the  neighborhood  of  Philadelphia ;  but 
gradually  as  the  old  timber  fell,  and  the  country  became  better  cleared, 
they  retreateil  to  the  forest.  At  present  few  of  these  birds  are  to  be 
found  within  ten  or  fifteen  miles  of  tlie  city. 

Tiieir  nest  is  built,  or  rather  the  eggs  are  deposited,  in  the  hole  of  a 
tree,  dug  out  by  themselves,  no  other  materials  being  used  but  the  soft 
ehi|)s  of  rotten  wood.  The  ft-mnle  lays  six  large  eggs  of  a  snowy  white- 
ness ;  ami,  it  is  said,  they  generally  raise  two  broods  in  the  same  season. 

This  species  is  eight^vn  inches  long,  ami  twenty-eight  in  extent  ;  the 
general  color  is  a  dusky  brownish  black;  the  head  is  ornamented  with 
a  conical  cap  of  bright  scarlet  ;  two  scarht  nuistaehes  proceed  from  the 
lower  mandilile  :  the  chin  is  white  ;  the  nostrils  are  covered  with  brown- 
ish white  hair-like  feathers,  *.hU  this  str^H'  of  white  passes  thence  down 
the  side  of  the  neck  to  the  ^ule.-*,  ijprvMnling  under  the  wings  ;  the  upper 
half  of  the  wings,  is  white,  but  concealed  by  the  Mack  coverts;  the 
lower  extreuiilies  i>i'  the  ui»»4r>  hh   black  ;  so  that  the  white  on  the  wing 


GOLDEN-WINGED    WOODPECKER. 


169 


is  not  seen  when  the  bird  is  flying,  at  which  time  it  is  very  prominent ; 
the  tail  is  tapering,  the  feathers  being  very  convex  above  and  strong ; 
the  legs  are  of  a  leaden  gray  color,  very  short,  scarcely  half  an  inch, 
the  toes  very  long,  the  claws  strong  and  semicircular,  and  of  a  pale 
blue ;  the  bill  is  fluted,  sharply  ridged,  very  broad  at  the  base,  bluish 
black  above,  below  and  at  the  point  bluish  white ;  the  eye  is  of  a  bright 
golden  color ;  the  pupil  black ;  the  tongue,  like  those  of  its  tribe,  is 
worm-shaped,  except  near  the  tip,  where  for  one-eighth  of  an  inch  it  is 
horny,  pointed,  and  beset  with  barbs. 

The  female  has  the  forehead,  and  nearly  to  the  crown,  of  a  light 
brown  color,  and  the  mustaches  are  dus^ky  instead  of  red.  In  both,  a 
fine  lino  of  white  separates  the  red  crest  from  the  dusky  lino  that  passes 
over  the  eye. 


Specieb  III.    riCUS  AURATUS. 

GOLDEN-WINCED  WOODPECKER. 

[Plate  III.    tig.  1.] 

Le  Picaux  ailea  dories,  Bikfon,  vii.,  .39.  ]'l,  Enl.  C93. — ricvx  anratus,  Linn.  Sijst. 
174. —  Cuculus  alis  Je  auratis,  Klein,  p.  30. — Cateshv,  i.,  IS. — Latham,  ii.,  597. 
Bartham,  p.  '2.S9.* 

Tiii.'^  clogant  bird  is  well  known  to  our  farmer.^  and  junior  sports- 
men, who  take  every  oj)portunity  of  destroying  him;  the  former  for  the 
supposed  trespasses  he  commits  on  their  Indian  corn,  or  the  trifle  he  will 
bring  in  market,  and  the  latter  for  the  mere  pleasure  of  destrurtion,  and 
perhaps  fur  the  flavor  of  his  fle.sh,  'vliich  is  in  general  esteem.  In  tho 
state  of  lVMin.sylvania  he  can  scarcely  be  called  a  bird  of  passage,  as 
even  in  severe  winters  they  may  be  found  within  a  few  miles  of  the  city 
of  Philadelphia  ;  and  I  have  known  them  exposed  for  sale  in  market 
every  week  during  the  months  of  Novembor,  Deeember  and  January, 
and  that  too  in  more  than  connnonly  rigorous  weather.  They,  no  doubt, 
partially  migrate,  even  here;  being  much  more  numerous  in  spring  and 
fall  than  in  winter.  Early  in  the  month  of  April  they  begin  to  prepare 
their  nest,  which  is  built  in  the  hollriw  body  or  branch  of  a  tree,  souie- 
times,  though  not  always,  at  a  considerable  height  from  the  ground ;  for 
1  have  frequently  known  them  fix  on  the  trunk  of  an  old  apple-trcc, 


0,   '7  3 


*  We  add  tlie  follnwing  aynonymes: — Cuculus  auratua,  Linn,  i^ij.it.  oyX.  10,  1, 
112.-- -Gmei..  SijsI.  I.,  4:511.— I<ATii.  Ind.  Orn.  p.  '242. — Pu-us  Canadensis  slriutus, 
Bris«  4,  72.  — Penn   Ai-ft.  Zool.  No.  158. 


m 


i  !;■ 


i      1 


ll 

m-m 

if'.lj- 

IS '*'' '1' 

pv 

1 

I 

■ 

I 

l¥ 


K'firi 


170 


G  OL  D  E  N- W  I  N  O  E  D    WOODPECKER. 


at  not  more  tlian  six  foot  from  tlio  root.  ThoHii^acity  of  this  bird  in  (lis- 
covering,  under  a  sound  Imrk,  a  Loliow  limb  or  trunk  of  a  tree,  and  its 
perseverance  in  perforating  it  for  the  purpose  of  incubation,  are  truly 
surprising ;  tlic  male  and  female  altrrnatoly  relieving  and  encouraging 
each  otlu'r  by  mutual  caresses,  renewing  their  laljors  for  several  days, 
till  the  object  is  attained,  and  the  j)lace  rendi'rod  suiliciently  capacious, 
convenient  and  secure.  At  this  employment  they  are  so  extremely  intent, 
that  thoy  may  be  hoard  till  a  very  late  hour  in  the  evening,  tiiumping 
like  carpenters.  I  have  soon  an  instance  whore  thoy  had  dug  first  five 
inches  straight  forwards,  and  tlu'ii  downwards  more  than  twice  that  dis- 
tance, through  a  solid  black  oak.  Thoy  carry  in  no  materials  for  their 
nest,  the  soft  chips,  and  dust  of  the  wood,  serving  for  this  ))urpose. 
Tile  female  lays  six  wiiite  eggs,  almost  transparent.  The  young  early 
leave  the  nest,  and,  climbing  to  the  higher  branches,  arc  there  fed  by 
their  parents. 

Tlio  fodd  of  this  bird  varies  with  the  season.  As  tb"  common  cher- 
ries, bird-cherries,  and  bi'rrios  of  tlie  sour  gum,  successively  ripen,  he 
regales  plentifully  on  them,  particularly  on  the  latter;  but  the  chief 
footl  of  this  species,  or  that  which  is  most  usually  foun<l  in  his  stomach, 
is  Wi)o(l-lioo,  and  the  young  and  larviv  of  ants,  of  which  he  is  so  immo- 
derately foiiil,  that  I  iiave  froiiuontlv  found  his  stomach  distendo(l  witii 
a  mass  of  these,  and  these  only,  as  largo  nearly  as  a  phim.  For  the 
procuring  of  these  insects,  nature  has  remarkably  fitted  him.  The  bills 
of  Woodpeckers,  in  general,  are  straight,  grooved  or  channollod,  wedge- 
shaped,  and  compressed  to  a  thin  edge  at  the  end,  that  they  may  the 
easier  penetrate  the  hardest  wood ;  that  of  the  Gohlon-winged  Wood- 
pecker 18  long,  slightly  bent,  ridgotl  only  on  the  top,  ami  tapering  almost 
to  a  point,  vet  still  retaining  a  little  of  the  wedge  form  tboro.  IJoth, 
however,  are  admirably  adajttcd  to  the  pooiiliar  manner  oMoh  has  of  pro- 
curing its  food.  The  former,  like  a  powerful  weilge,  to  jioiietrate  tlu? 
deatl  and  decaying  branches,  after  worms  and  insects ;  the  latter,  like  a 
long  and  sharp  ]iiek-axe.  to  dig  up  the  hillocks  of  ))ismirt's,  tiiat  inhabit 
old  stumps  in  jiro<ligious  multitutlos.  These  boiiofioial  services  would 
entitle  him  to  some  regard  from  the  husbandman,  wtie  he  not  accused, 
and  perhaps  not  without  just  cause,  of  being  too  partial  to  the  Indian 
corn,  when  in  that  state  which  is  usually  called  r(i(isti)ii/-t'(irit.  Ilis 
visits  are  indi'0(l  rather  frecpieiit  about  this  time;  and  the  farmer,  sus- 
pecting what  is  going  on,  steals  through  among  the  rows  with  his  gun, 
bent  on  vengeance,  and  forgotfid  of  the  benevolent  sentiment  of  the 
poet ;  that 


'■ Just  as  wicli'  of  Justice  ho  must  full 

Wlio  thinks  all  made  for  Ono,  not  one  for  all." 

But  farmers,  in  general,  are  not  much  versed  in  poetry,  and  pretty  well 


GOLDEN-WINGEP    WOODPECKER. 


171 


acquainted  with  tho  value  of  corn,  from  the  bard  labor  requisite  in 
raising  it. 

In  rambling  througb  the  woods  one  day,  I  hiippened  to  shoot  at  one 
of  those  birds,  and  wounde<l  bini  slightly  in  the  wing.     Finding  him  in 
full  feather,  and  seemingly  but  little  hurt,  I  took  him  home,  and  put 
him   into  a  large  cage,  made  of  willows,  intending  to  keep  him  in  .my 
own  room,  that   we  might  become  better  acquainted.     As  soon   as  he 
found  himself  enclosed  on  tdl  sides,  he  lost  no  time  in  idle  fluttering,  but 
throwing  himself  against  tho  bars  of  tho  cage,  began  instantly  to  de- 
molish the  willows,  battering  them  with  groat  vehemence,  and  uttering 
a  loml  piteous  kind  of  cackling,  similar  to  that  of  a  hen   when  she  is 
alarmoil,  and  takes  to  wing,     i'oor  Ibiron  Tronck  never  lal)ored  with 
more  eager  diligence  at  the  walls  of  his  prison,  than  this  son  of  tho 
forest  in   his  exertions  for  li1)erty  ;  and  he  exercised  his  powerful  bill 
with  such  force,  digging  into  the  sticks,  seizing  and  shaking  them  so 
from  side  to   siile,  that   he  soon  opened   for    himself   a   passage;    and 
though  I  repeatedly  repaired  the  breach,  and  barricadoed  every  opening 
in  the  best  manner  I  could,  yet  on  my  return  into  the  room,  I  always 
found  him  at  large,  climbing  up  the  ehair.s,  or  running  about  the  lloor, 
where,  from  the  dcxtt'rity  of  his  motions,  moving  backwards,  forwards, 
and  sidewise,  with  the  same  facility,  it  became  dillicult  to  got  hold  of 
him  again.      1  laving  placed  him  in  a  strong  wire  cage,  he  seeuu'd  to 
give  up  all   hoj)es  of  making  his  eseaj)e,  and  soon   became  very  tame; 
fed  on  young  ears  of  Indian  corn  ;  refused  apjjles,  but  ato  the  berriea 
of  the  sour  gum  greedily,  small  winter  grapes,  and  several  other  kinds 
of  berries;  exercised  himself  friMjuently  in  climbing,  or  rather  hopping 
]ierjienilieularly  along  the  sides  of  the  cage ;  and   as  evening  drew  on, 
lixed  himself  in  a  high  hanging  or  perpendicular  position,  and  slejit  with 
his  head  in  his  wing.     As  soon  as  dawn  appeared,  even  before  it  was 
light   enough  to  perceive  him  distinctly  across  the  room,  he  descended 
to  the  bottom  of  tlie  cage,  and  bi'gan  his  attack  on  the  ears  of  Indian 
corn,  rap|iing  so  loud  as  to  be  heard  from  every  room  in  tho  hou,se. 
After  this  he  would  sometimes  resmne  his   former  jiositiiui,  and  take 
another  nap.      He  was  beginning  to  beeome  very   amusing,   and  even 
sociable,   when,    after  a  lapse   of  several  weeks,   he  became  drooping, 
anil  ilii'il,  as  I  conceived,  from  the  oftocts  of  his  wouml. 

Some  Knropean  naturalists  (and  among  the  rest  Linnivnis  himself,  in 
his  tenth  edition  of  tin-  Systeina  Natura*),  have  classed  this  bird  with 
the  genus  Cuculus,  or  Cuckoo,  informing  tlu'ir  readers  that  it  possesses 
many  of  the  habits  of  the  Cuckoo;  that  it  is  almost  always  on  tho 
ground  :  is  uevi'r  seen  to  eliud)  trees  like  the  other  Woodpeckers,  and  that 
its  bill  is  altogether  uidike  theirs  ;  every  one  of  which  assertions  I  nmst 
say  is  incorrect,  and  could  have  only  proccded  from  an  entire  unae- 
(piaintanee  with  the  manners  of  the  bird.     E.xcept  in  the  article  of  the 


1T2 


GOLDEN-WINGED    WOODPECKER. 


l-l*    ';( 


|.-, 

:i'^ 


Jl, 


'mm 


■V 


I 


bill,  and  that,  ns  boon  before  observeil,  is  still  ii  little  wedge-fornuxl  at 
the  }ioiiit,  it  (lirtVrs  in  no  one  charncti'i-iHtic  from  the  rest  of  its  genus. 
Its  nostrils  are  covered  with  tufts  of  recunibont  hairs  or  small  feathers ; 
its  tongue  is  round,  worni-.shaped,  flattened  towards  the  tip,  pointed,  and 
furnished  with  minute  barbs;  it  is  also  long,  missile,  and  ean  be 
instantaneously  ])rotruded  to  an  uncommon  distance.  The  os  hyoides,  or 
internal  parts  of  the  tongue,  like  those  of  its  tribe,  is  a  substanee  for 
Btren"th  and  elasticity  resend)ling  whalebone,  divided  into  tw(t  branches, 
each  the  thickness  (>f  a  knitting-needle,  that  pass,  one  on  each  side  of  tlie 
neck,  to  the  hind-head,  where  they  unite,  and  run  up  along  the  skull  in 
a  groove,  covered  witli  a  thin  UKMubrane  or  sheath  ;  dt  scend  into  the 
upper  mnndil)le  by  the  right  side  of  the  right  nostril,  and  reach  to 
within  half  an  inch  of  the  jxtint  of  the  bill,  to  which  they  are  attached 
by  another  extremely  elastic  membrane,  that  yields  when  the  tongue  is 
thrcwn  out,  and  contracts  as  it  is  retracted.  In  the  other  Woodpeckers 
we  behold  the  same  a])paratus,  diflcring  a  little  in  difleri'iit  species.  In 
some  these  cartilaginous  substances  reach  only  to  the  top  of  the  cranium  ; 
in  others  they  reach  to  the  nostril ;  and  in  one  sjieeies  they  are  wound 
round  the  bone  of  the  right  eye,  which  projects  considerably  more  than 
the  left  for  its  accommodation. 

The  tongue  of  the  CJolden-winged  Woodpecker,  like  the  others,  is  also 
supplied  with  a  viscid  fluid,  secreted  by  two  glamls,  that  lie  under  the  ear 
on  each  side,  and  arc  at  least  five  times  larger  in  this  species  than  in  any 
other  of  its  size;  with  this  the  tongue  is  C(>ntinually  moistencil,  so  that 
every  small  insect  it  touches  instantly  adheres  to  it.  The  tail,  in  its 
strength  and  pointedness,  as  well  as  the  feet  and  claws,  prove  thiit  tlie 
bird  was  designeil  for  climbing ;  and  in  fact  T  have  scarcely  ever  seen  it 
on  a  tree  five  minutes  at  a  time  without  climbing;  hopping  not  only  up- 
wards and  downwards,  but  spirally  ;  pursuing  and  playing  with  its  fellow. 
in  this  manner,  round  the  body  of  the  tree.  1  have  also  seen  them  a 
hundrod  times  alight  on  the  trunk  of  the  tree;  though  they  nmre  fre- 
quently alight  on  the  branches;  but  that  they  clind»,  construct  like  nests, 
\uy  the  same  number,  and  the  like  colored  eggs,  and  have  the  manners 
and  habits  of  the  Woodpeckers,  is  notorious  to  every  Ameiican  natural- 
ist ;  while  neither  in  the  form  of  tlicir  body,  nor  any  other  ]iart.  except 
in  the  l)iil  being  somewhat  bent,  and  the  toes  plaeeil  two  l)efore,  and  two 
behind,  have  they  the  smallest  n-semblance  whatever  to  the  Cuckoo. 

It  may  not  be  improper,  however,  to  observe,  that  tlier(>  is  another 
species  of  Woodpecker,  ciilled  also  <i')lden-Winged,*  which  iidiabits  the 
countrv  near  the  (_'aj)e  <A'  (Jood  Hope,  and  resendiles  the  pre>ent.  it  is 
said,  almost  exactly  in  the  color  and  form  of  its  bill,  and  in  the  tint  and 
markings  of  its  plumage;  with  this  dift'ercnce,  that  the  moustaches  are 

*  I'iriis  cnfer,  Turton's  Linn. 


aOLDEN-WINOED    WOODPECKKK. 


178 


red  instead  of  blaek,  and  the  lower  ^ido  of  tlio  wings,  as  well  as  theii 
shafts,  lire  also  red,  where  the  other  is  golden  yellow.  It  ia  also  con- 
siderably less.  With  respect  to  the  habits  of  this  new  species,  wo  have 
no  particular  account;  but  tliert'  is  little  doubt  that  they  will  bo  founa 
to  correspond  with  the  one  we  are  now  describing. 

The  abject  and  degnided  character  which  the  Count  de  Buffon,  with 
equal  el()(|uenco  and  absurdity,  has  drawn  of  the  whole  tribe  of  Wood- 
peckers, l)elongs  not  to  the  elegant  and  sprightly  bird  now  before  us. 
How  far  it  is  applicable  to  any  of  them  will  bo  examined  hereafter.    lie 
is  not  "constrained  to  drag  out  an  insipid  cxistei  ce  in  boring  the  bark 
and  hard  fibres  of  trees  to  extract  his  prey,"  for  he  frequently  finds  in 
the  loose  mouldering  ruins  of  an  old  stump  ('the  capital  of  a  nation  of 
l)isiuires),  more  than  is  sufficient  for  the  wants  of  a  whole  week.     He 
cannot  bo  said  to  "  lead  a  mean  and  gloomy  life,  without  an  intermission 
of  labor,"  who  usually  feasts  by  the  first  peep  of  dawn,  and  spends  the 
early,  and  sweetest  hours  of  morning,  on  the  highest  peaks  of  the  tallest 
trees,  calling  on  his  mate  or  companions ;  or  pursuing  and  gamboling 
with  them  round  the  larger  limbs  and  body  of  the  tree  for  hours  toge- 
ther; for  such  are  really  his  habits.     Can  it  bo  said  that  "necessity 
never  grants  an  interval  of  sound  repose"  to  that  bird,  who,  while  other 
tribes  are  exposed  to  all  the  pcltings  of  the  midnight  ^torm,  lodges  dry 
and  secure  in  a  snug  chamber  of  his  own  constructing?  or  that  "the 
narrow  circumference  of  a  tree  circumscribes  his  dull  round  of  life," 
who,  as  seasons  and  inclination   inspire,  roams  from   the  frigid  to  the 
torrid  zone,  feu-ting  on   the  abundance  of  various  regions?     Or  is  it  a 
proof  that  "  his  appetite  is  never  softened  by  delicacy  of  taste,"  because 
he  so  often  varies  his  bill  of  fare,  o<'casionally  preferring  to  aninnil  food 
the  rich  miikiness  of  young  Indian  corn,  and  the  wliolosonie  ami  nourish- 
ing berries  of  the  Wild  Clierry,  Sou     'ium,  and   Ited  Cetlar  ?     i>et  the 
reader  turn  to  th*-  faithful  rcpresentai,   m  of  him  j.-    en  in  the  i)lati    and 
say  whether  bis       ks  be  "sad  and  melui  eholy !"     Jt  is  truly  ridicul  us 
and  astonishing  ii.tt  such  absurdities  slioubl  escape  the  lips  or  pen  i>f 
one  so  able  to  do  justice  to  the  respective  merits  of  cv»^ry  species;  but 
l?nfVon  bad  too  often  a  favorite  theory  to  prop  up,  that  led  him  insen- 
sibly astray;  and  so,  forsooth,  the  wbole  family  of  Woodpeck'  ■  >•  must 
look  sad,  sour,  and  be  miserable,  to  satisfy  the  caprice  of  a  wiiimsical 
jiliilosojiher,  who  takes  it  into  his  head   that  ti.ey  are,  and  ought  to 
be,  so. 

But  the  count  is  not  the  oidy  European  who  has  misrepresented  and 
traduce<l  this  beautiful  bird.  One  has  given  bim  brown  legs,*  another 
a  yellow  neck  ;t  a  thi''!  i;  i-  ileclared  him  a  Cuekoo,J;  and  in  an  English 
translation  of  Linna;ui''s  !'^3>iom  of  Nature,  lately  published,  he  is  char- 


tn 


•  See  Encyl.  Brit.  Ait    i'lccs. 


f  Latham. 


X  Klein. 


<> 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


1.0 


I.I 


<■-  12.8 

[5  0      ™'^ 
^        1^ 


25 
22 

1.8 


1.25      1.4 

1.6 

^ 

6"     — 

► 

Photographic 

Sciences 
Corpordtion 


^ 


V 


^^ 


'^Q) 


23  WEST  MAIN  STltrj  " 

WEBSTER,  NY    I4S30 

(716)  872-4503 


ri7 


fA 


^ 


^ 


174 


GOLDEN-WINGED    WOODPECKER. 


acterized  as  follows :  "  transversely  striate  with  black  and  gray ;  chin 
and  breast  black ;  does  not  climb  trees;"*  which  is  just  as  correct  as  if, 
in  describing  the  human  species,  we  should  say — skin  striped  with  black 
and  green  ;  cheeks  blue ;  chin  orange ;  never  walks  on  foot,  &c.  The 
pages  of  natural  history  should  resemble  a  faithful  mirror,  in  which 
mankind  may  recognise  the  true  images  of  the  living  originals ;  instead 
of  which  we  find  this  department  of  them,  too  often,  like  the  hazy  and 
rough  medium  of  wretched  window-glass,  through  whose  crooked  pro- 
tuberances everything  appears  so  strangely  distorted,  that  one  scarcely 
krows  his  most  intimate  neighbors  and  acquaintance. 

The  Golden-winged  Woodpecker  has  the  back  and  wings  above  of  a 
dark  umber,  transversely  marked  with  equidistant  streaks  of  black ; 
upper  part  of  the  head  an  iron  gray ;  cheeks  and  parts  surrounding  the 
eyes,  a  fine  cinnamon  color ;  from  the  lower  mandible  a  strip  of  black, 
an  inch  in  length,  passes  down  each  side  of  the  throat,  and  a  lunated 
spot,  of  a  vivid  blood  red,  covers  the  hindhead,  its  two  points  reaching 
within  half  an  inch  of  each  eye ;  the  sides  of  the  neck,  below  this,  in- 
cline to  a  bluish  gray ;  throat  and  chin  a  very  light  cinnamon  or  fawn 
color ;  the  breast  is  ornamented  with  a  broad  crescent  of  deep  black ; 
the  belly  and  vent  white,  tinged  with  yellow,  and  scattered  with  inim- 
merable  round  spots  of  black,  every  feather  having  a  distinct  central 
spot,  those  on  the  thighs  and  vent  being  heart-shaped  and  largest;  the 
lower  or  inner  side  of  the  wing  and  tail,  shafts  of  all  the  larger  feathers, 
and  indeed  of  almost  every  feather,  are  of  a  beautiful  golden  yellow — 
that  on  the  shafts  of  the  primaries  being  very  distinguishable,  even  when 
the  wings  are  shut;  the  I'ump  is  white,  and  remarkably  prominent;  the 
tail-coverts  white,  and  curiously  serrated  with  black  ;  upper  side  of  the 
tail,  and  the  tip  below,  black,  edged  with  light  loose  filaments  of  a  cream 
col'ir,  tbt-  two  exterior  feathers  serrated  witli  whitish;  shafts  black 
towards  the  tips,  the  two  middle  ones  nearly  wholly  so ;  bill  an  inch  and 
a  half  long,  of  a  dusky  horn  color,  somewhat  bent,  ridged  only  on  the 
top,  tapering,  but  not  to  a  point,  that  being  a  little  wedge-formed ;  legs 
and  feet  light  blue ;  iris  of  the  eye  iiazel ;  lenj-th  twelve  inches,  extent 
twenty.  The  female  differs  from  the  male  chiefly  in  the  greater  obscurity 
of  the  fine  colors,  and  in  wanting  the  black  moustaches  on  each  side 
of  the  tiiroat.  Tiiis  description,  as  well  as  the  drawing,  was  taken  from 
a  very  lieautiful  and  perfect  sjieeinion. 

Though  this  species,  generally  speaking,  is  migratory,  yet  they  often 
remain  with  us  in  Pennsylvania  during  the  whole  winter.  They  also  in- 
lialtit  the  continent  of  Nctrtli  America,  fi'oni  Ifuilson's  Bay  to  (ieorgia; 
and  have  been  found  by  voyagers  on  the  nortiiwest  coast  of  America. 
They  arrive  at  Hudson's  Bay  in  April,  and  leave  it  in  September.    Mr. 


*  Turton's  Linnteus,  vol.  i.,  p.  264. 


RED-HEADED    WOODPECKER. 


176 


Hearne,  however,  informs  us  that  the  "  Golden-winged  Woodpecker  is 
almost  the  only  species  of  Woodpecker  that  winters  near  Hudson's 
Bay."  The  natives  there  call  it  Ou-thee-quan-nor-ow,  from  the  golden 
color  of  the  shafts  and  lower  side  of  the  wings.  It  ';as  numerous  pro- 
vincial appellations  in  the  different  States  of  the  Union,  such  aa  "  High- 
hole,"  from  the  situation  of  its  nest,  and  "  Hittock,"  "  Yucker,"  "  Piut," 
"  Flicker,"  by  which  last  it  is  usually  known  in  Pennsylvania.  These 
names  have  probably  originated  from  a  fancied  resemblance  of  its  notes 
to  the  sound  of  the  words ;  for  one  of  its  most  common  cries  consists 
of  two  notes  or  syllables,  frequently  repeated,  which,  by  the  help  of  the 
bearer's  imagination,  may  easily  be  made  to  resemble  any  or  all  of  them. 


Species  IV.    PICUS  ERYTHROCEPHALUS. 

RED-HEADED    WOODPECKER. 

[Plate  IZ.    Fig.  1.] 

Picus  eryfhrocephahts,  Linn.  S;/st.  i.,  174,  7. — Omel,  Syst.  i.,  429. — Pic  voir  A 
domino  rouge,  Buffon,  vii.,  55.  PI.  Enl,  117. — Catesdy,  i.,  20. — Arct.  Zool.  ii., 
No.  160.— Lath.  Syn.  ii.,  561.* 

There  is  perhaps  no  bird  in  North  America  more  universally  known 
ihan  this.  His  tri-colored  plumage,  red,  white,  and  black  glossed  with 
steel  blue,  is  so  striking,  and  cliaractoristic ;  and  his  predatory  habits 
in  the  orchards  and  corn-fields,  added  to  his  numbers,  and  fondness  for 
hovering  along  the  fences,  so  very  notorious,  that  almost  every  child  is 
acquaintod  with  tlie  Redheaded  Woodpecker.  In  the  immediate  neigh- 
borhood of  our  largo  cities,  whore  tlie  old  timber  is  chiefly  cut  down,  he 
is  not  so  frequently  found ;  and  yet  nt  this  present  time,  June,  1808,  I 
know  of  several  of  their  nests,  witliin  the  boundaries  of  the  city  of 
Philadelphia.  Two  of  these  arc  in  button-wood  trees  {Platanus  occi- 
ilentalia),  and  anotlicr  in  the  decayed  limb  of  an  elm.  Tlie  old  ones,  I 
(ibserve,  make  their  excursions  rt»guhirly  to  the  woods  beyond  the 
Schuylkill,  about  a  mile  distant ;  preserving  great  silence  and  circum- 
spection in  visiting  their  nests  ;  precautions  not  much  attended  to  l)y 
them  in  the  depths  of  the  woods,  because  there  the  prying  eye  of  man 
is  less  to  be  dreaded.  Towards  the  mountains,  particularly  in  the  vicin- 
ity of  creeks  and  rivers,  these  birds  are  extremely  abundant,  especially 
in  the  latter  end  of  summer.     Wherever  you  travel  in  the  interior,  at 

*  We  add  the  following  synonymes  ■.—PIcua  ohscurus,  Gmei,.  Sysl.  i.,  429,  young 
—Lath.  hid.  Orn.  228. — Picus  Yinjinianus  erylhroccplialu.'i,  Bkiss.  4,  p.  52. 


I 


fit." 


li'     -I  I-  ' 


176 


RED-HEADED    WOODPECKER. 


that  season,  you  hear  them  screaming  from  the  adjoining  woods,  rattling 
on  the  dead  limbs  of  trees  or  on  the  fences,  where  they  are  perpetually 
seen  flitting  from  stake  to  stake,  on  the  roadside  before  you.  Wherever 
there  is  a  tree,  or  trees,  of  the  wild-cherry,  covered  with  ride  fruit,  there 
you  see  them  busy  ainong  the  branches ;  and  in  passing  orchards,  you 
may  easily  know  where  to  find  the  earliest,  sweetest  apples,  by  observ- 
ing those  trees,  on  or  near  which  the  Ked-headed  Woodpecker  is  skulk- 
ing ;  for  he  is  so  excellent  a  connoisseur  in  fruit,  that  wherever  an  apple 
or  pear  is  found  broached  by  him,  it  is  sure  to  be  amongst  the  ripest  and 
best  flavored.  When  alarmed,  he  seizes  a  capital  one  by  striking  his  open 
bill  deep  into  it,  and  bears  it  off  to  the  woods.  When  the  Indian  corn 
is  in  its  rich,  succulent,  milky  state,  he  attacks  it  with  great  eagerness, 
opening  a  passage  through  the  numerous  folds  of  the  husk,  and  feeding 
on  it  with  voracity.  The  girdleil,  or  deadened  timber,  so  common 
among  corn-fields,  in  the  back  settlements,  are  his  favorite  retreats, 
whence  he  sallies  out  to  make  his  depredations.  lie  is  fond  of  the  ripe 
berries  of  the  sour  gum ;  and  pays  pretty  regular  visits  to  the  cherry- 
trees,  when  loaded  with  fruit.  Towards  fall,  he  often  approaches  the 
barn,  or  farm-house,  and  raps  on  the  shingles  and  weather-boards.  lie 
is  of  a  gay  and  frolicksomc  disposition ;  and  half  a  dozen  of  the  frater- 
nity are  frequently  seen  diving  and  vociferating  around  the  high  dead 
limbs  of  some  large  tree,  pursuing  and  playing  with  each  other,  and 
amusing  the  passenger  with  their  gambols.  Their  note  or  cry  is  shrill 
and  lively,  and  so  much  resembles  that  of  a  species  of  tree  frog,  which 
frequents  the  same  tree,  that  it  is  sometimes  difficult  to  distinguish  the 
one  from  the  other. 

Such  aro  the  vicious  traits,  if  I  may  so  speak,  in  the  character  of  the 
Re<l-hoaded  Woodpecker ;  and  I  doul)t  not  but  from  what  has  boon  said 
on  this  subject,  that  some  readers  would  consider  it  meritorious  to  exter- 
minate the  whole  tribe,  as  a  nuisance;  and  in  fact  tiie  logishitiu'cs  of 
some  of  our  provinces,  in  former  times,  ofToreil  premiums,  to  the  amount 
of  twopence  per  head,  for  their  dostniotion.*  But  lot  us  not  condemn 
the  species  unheard.  They  exist ;  tlioy  nnist  tlicrofore  be  necessary. 
If  their  merits  and  usefulness  be  found,  on  examination,  to  proponderato 
against  tlieir  vices,  let  us  avail  ourselves  of  the  former,  while  we  guanl, 
as  well  as  we  can,  against  the  latter. 

Tliough  this  bird  occasionally  regales  himself  on  fruit,  yet  his  natu- 
ral, and  most  useful,  food  is  insects,  jjartieularly  those  numerous  and 
destructive  species  that  penetrate  the  bark  and  body  of  the  tree,  to  do- 
posit  their  eggs  and  larvae,  the  latter  of  which  are  well  known  to  make 
immense  havoc.  That  insects  are  his  natural  food,  is  evident  from  tlie 
construction  of  his  wedge-formed  bill,  the  length,  elasticity,  and  figure 

*  Knlm. 


RED-HEADED   WOODPECKER. 


ni 


of  his  tongue,  and  the  strength  and  position  of  his  claws ;  as  well  as 
from  his  usual  habits.     In  fact,  insects  form  at  least  two-thirds  of  his 
subsistence ;  and  his  stomach  is  scarcely  ever  found  without  them.     He 
searches  for  them  with  a  dexterity  and  intelligence,  I  may  safely  say, 
more  than  human  ;  he  perceives  by  the  exterior  appearance  of  the  bark 
where  they  lurk  below;  when  he  is  dubious,  ho  rattles  vehemently  on  the 
outside  with  his  bill,  and  his  acute  car  distinguishes  the  terrifieil  vermin 
shrinking  within  to  their  inmost  retreats,  where  his  pointed  and  barbed 
tongue  soon  reaches  them.     The  masses  of  bugs,  caterpillars,  and  other 
larvfc,  which  I  have  taken  from  the  stomachs  of  these  birds,  have  often 
surprised  me.     These  larvae,  it  should  be  remembered,  feed  not  only  on 
the  buds,  leaves  and  blossoms,  but  on  the  very  vegetable  life  of  the  tree, 
the  alburnum,  or  newly  forming  bark  and  wood ;  the  consequence  is,  that 
whole  branches,  and  whole  trees,  decay,  under  the  silent  ravages  of  these 
destructive  vermin  ;  witness  the  late  destruction  of  many  hundred  acres 
of  pine-trees  in  the  north-eastern  parts  of  South  Carolina;*  and  the  . 
thousands  of  peach-trees  that  yearly  decay  from  the  same  cause.     Will 
any  one  say,  that  taking  half  a  dozen,  or  half  a  hundred,  apples  from  a 
tree,  is  equally  ruinous  with  cutting  it  down  ?  or,  that  the  services  of  a 
useful  animal  should  not  bo  rewarded  with  a  small  portion  of  that  which 
it  has  contributed  to  preserve  ?   We  are  told,  in  the  benevolent  language 
of  the  Scriptures,  not  to  muzzle  the  mouth  of  the  ox  tlmt  troadctli  out 
the  corn  ;  and  why  should  not  the  same  generous  liberality  bo  extoiided 
to  this  useful  family  of  liirds,  which  forms  so  powerful  a  phalanx  against 
the  inroads  of  many  millions  of  destructive  vermin. 

The  Red-headed  Woodpecker  is,  properly  speaking,  a  bird  of  passngo; 
though  even  in  the  Eastern  States,  individuals  are  found  during  moderate 
winters,  as  well  as  in  the  states  of  New  York  a!id  roniisylvania ;  in 
Carolina  they  are  somewhat  more  numerous  during  that  season ;  but 
not  one-tenth  of  what  are  found  in  summer.  They  make  their  nppear- 
ance  in  Pennsylvania  about  the  first  of  May  ;  and  leave  us  about  the  mid- 
dle of  October.  They  inhabit  from  Canada  to  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  and 
are  also  found  on  the  western  coast  of  North  America.  About  the  miil- 
dle  of  May  they  begin  to  construct  their  nests,  which,  like  the  rest  of 
the  genus,  they  form  in  the  body,  or  large  limbs,  of  trees,  taking  in  no 
materials,  but  smoothing  it  within  to  the  jjroper  shape  and  size.  The 
fenuile  lays  six  eggs,  of  a  pure  white ;  and  the  young  make  tlieir  first 
appearance  about  the  twentieth  of  June.  During  the  first  season,  the 
liead  and  neck  of  the  young  birds  are  blackish  gray,  which  has  occa- 


*  In  one  jilnce,  on  a  tract  of  two  thousand  acres  of  pino  livnil,  on  the  Snnijiit 
river,  near  Cioorgctown,  at  Ici'.st  ninety  trees  in  every  hundred  were  dcHtroyed  hy 
this  pernicious  insect,  a  wnall,  bhick,  win>;ed  bug,  resembling  tlio  weevil,  but  80u\o- 
what  longer. 

Vol.  I.— 12 


f 


178 


RED-TIEADED    WOODPECKER. 


If:'' 


I ,  '1^ 


n. 
ft"  I 


;/ 


m 


•  *■! 


-C 


f  ^;f^: 


rJni 


sioned  some  European  writers  to  mistake  them  for  feunalea ;  the  white 
on  the  wing  is  also  spotted  with  black ;  but  in  the  succeeding  spring 
they  receive  their  perfect  plumage,  and  the  male  and  female  then  differ 
only  in  the  latter  being  rather  smaller,  and  her  colors  not  quite  so  vivid ; 
both  have  the  head  and  neck  deep  scarlet ;  the  bill  light  blue,  black 
towards  the  extremity,  and  strong ;  back,  primaries,  wing-coverts  and 
tail,  black,  glossed  with  steel  blue;  rump,  lower  part  of  the  back, 
secondaries,  and  whole  under  parts,  from  the  breast  downwards,  white; 
legs  and  feet  bluish  green ;  claws  light  blue ;  round  the  eye  a  dusky  nar- 
row skin,  bare  of  feathers ;  iris  dark  hazel ;  total  length  nine  inches 
and  a  half,  extent  seventeen  inches.  The  figure  in  the  plate  was  drawn 
and  colored  from  a  very  elegant  living  specimen. 

Notwithstanding  the  care  which  this  bird,  in  common  with  the  rest  of 
its  genus,  takes  to  place  its  young  beyond  the  reach  of  enemies,  within 
the  hollows  of  trees ;  yet  there  is  one  deadly  foe,  against  whoso  depre- 
dations neither  the  height  of  the  tree,  nor  the  depth  of  the  cavity,  is 
the  least  security.  This  is  the  Black  Snake  {Coluber  constrictor),  who 
frequently  glides  up  the  trunk  of  the  tree,  and,  like  a  skulking  savage, 
enters  the  Woodpecker's  peaceful  apartment,  devours  the  eggs  or  help- 
less young,  in  spite  of  the  cries  and  flutterings  of  the  parents ;  and,  if 
the  place  be  large  enough,  coils  himself  up  in  the  spot  they  occupied, 
where  he  will  sometimes  remain  for  several  days.  The  eager  school-boy, 
after  hazarding  his  neck  to  reach  the  Woodpecker's  hole,  at  the  triumph- 
ant moment  when  he  thinks  the  nestlings  his  own,  and  strips  his  arm, 
lanching  it  down  into  the  cavity,  and  grasping  what  he  conceives  to  be 
the  callow  young,  starts  with  horror  at  the  sight  of  a  hideous  snake, 
and  almost  drops  from  his  giddy  pinnacle,  retreating  down  the  tree  with 
terror  and  precipitation.  Several  adventures  of  this  kind  have  come 
to  my  knowledge  ;  and  one  of  them  that  was  attended  with  serious  con- 
sequences ;  where  both  snake  and  boy  fell  to  the  ground ;  and  a  broken 
thigh,  and  long  confinement,  cured  the  adventurer  completely  of  his 
ambition  for  robbing  Woodpeckers'  nests. 


Species  V.    riCUS  VAIilUS. 

YELLOW-BELLIED    WOODPECKER. 

[Flats  IX.    Fig.  2.] 

Picus  variiis,  Linn.  Syst.  i.,  lift,  20. — Omel.  Si/at.  i.,  4.38. — Le pic  varie  de  la  Caro- 
line, Buff,  vii.,  77.  PI.  Enl.  785. —  Yellow-hell  led  Woodpecker,  Catesb.  i.,  21. — 
Arct.  Zool.  II.,  No.  1C6.— Lath.  Syn.  ii.,  .''•74,  20.     Id.  Sup.  p.  lO'J. 

This  beautiful  species  i.s  one  of  our  resident  birds.  It  visits  our 
orchards  in  the  month  of  October,  in  great  numbers;  is  occasionally 
seen  during  tlio  whole  winter  and  spring ;  but  seems  to  seek  the  depths 
of  the  forest,  to  rear  its  young  in ;  for  during  summer,  it  is  rarely  seen 
among  our  settlements ;  and  even  in  the  intermediate  woods,  I  have 
seldom  met  with  it  in  that  sea.wn.  According  to  Brisson,  it  inhabits 
the  continent  from  Cayenne  to  Virginia ;  and  I  may  add,  as  far  as  to 
Hudson's  Bay ;  where  according  to  Ilutchins,  they  are  called  Mckiscive 
Panpastaow  ;*  they  arc  also  common  in  the  states  of  Kentucky  and 
Ohio,  and  have  been  seen  in  the  neighborhood  of  St.  Louis.  They  are 
reckoned  by  Gcorgi,  among  tlie  binls  that  frequent  the  Lake  Baikal,  in 
Asia,f  but  their  existence  there  has  not  been  sati,sfactorily  ascertained. 

The  habits  of  this  species  are  similar  to  those  of  the  Hairy  and 
Downy  Woodpeckers,  witli  which  it  generally  associates ;  and  which  are 
both  represented  in  the  same  jdato.  The  only  ne.st  of  this  bird  which 
I  have  met  with,  was  in  the  body  of  an  old  pear-tree,  about  ten  or 
eleven  feet  from  the  ground.  Tlie  lude  was  almost  exactly  circular, 
small  for  the  size  of  the  binl,  so  that  it  crept  in  and  out  witli  difficulty, 
but  suddenly  widened,  descending  by  a  small  angle,  and  then  running 
downwards  about  fifteen  indies.  On  the  smooth  solid  woo<l  lay  four 
white  eggs.  This  was  al)()ut  the  twenty-fifth  of  May.  Having  no 
opportunity  of  visiting  it  afterwards,  I  cannot  say  whetlier  it  added  any 
more  eggs  to  the  number ;  I  rather  think  it  did  not,  .is  it  appeared,  at 
that  time,  to  be  sitting. 

The  Yellow-bellied  Woodpecker  is  eiglit  inches  and  a  half  long,  and 
in  extent  fifteen  inches;  whole  crown  a  rich  and  deep  scarlet,  borilerod 
witli  black  on  each  side,  and  behind  forming  a  slight  crest,  which  it 
frequently  erects ;  I  from  the  nostrils,  which  are  thickly  covered  with 

*  Latham.  t  Hjiil. 

%  Tiiis  ciroumstance  sueiiis  to  liavo  lieen  overlooked  by  nnturalists. 

(179) 


% 


i    »,i 


,?  ' 


»,i 


•i-J 


180 


YELLOW-BELLIED    WOODPECKER. 


i 


recumbent  hairs,  a  narrow  strip  of  white  runs  downward,  curving  round 
the  breast,  mixing  with  tlic  yellowish  wliito  on  the  lower  part  of  the 
breast ;  throat  the  same  deep  scarlet  as  the  crown,  bordered  with  black, 
proceeding  from  the  lower  mandible  on  each  side,  and  spreading  into  a 
liroiid  rounding  patch  on  the  breast ;  this  black,  in  birds  of  the  first 
and  second  year,  is  dusky  gray,  the  feathers  being  only  crossed  with 
eireular  touches  of  black  ;  a  lino  of  white,  and  below  it  another  of 
black,  proceed,  the  first  from  the  upper  part  of  the  eye,  the  other  from 
the  posterior  half  of  the  eye,  and  both  lose  themselves  on  the  neck  and 
back  ;  liack  dusky  yellow,  sprinkled  and  elegantly  waved  with  black ; 
wings  black,  with  a  large  oblong  spot  of  white ;  the  primaries  tipped 
and  spotted  with  white ;  the  three  secondaries,  next  the  body,  arc  also 
variegated  with  white  ;  rump  white,  bordered  with  black  ;  belly  yellow  ; 
sides  under  the  wings  more  dusky  yellow,  marked  with  long  arrow-heads 
of  black ;  legs  and  feet  greenish  blue ;  tail  black,  consisting  of  ten 
feathers,  the  two  outward  feathers,  on  each  side  tipped  with  white,  the 
next  totally  black,  the  fourth  edged  on  its  inner  vane,  half  way  down, 
with  white,  the  middle  one  white  on  its  interior  vane,  and  spotted  with 
black  ;  tongue  flat,  horny  for  half  an  inch  at  the  tip,  pointed,  and  armed 
along  its  sides  with  reflected  barbs;  the  other  extremities  of  the  tongue 
jiass  up  behind  the  skull  in  a  groove,  and  end  near  the  right  nostril ;  in 
birds  of  the  first  and  second  year,  they  reach  only  to  the  crown ;  bill 
an  inch  long,  channelled,  wedge-formed  at  the  tip,  and  of  a  dusky  horn 
color.  The  female  is  marked  nearly  as  the  male,  but  wants  the  scarlet 
on  the  throat,  which  is  whitish ;  she  is  also  darker  under  the  wings,  and 
on  the  sides  of  the  breast.  The  young  of  the  first  season,  of  both 
sexes,  in  October,  have  the  crown  sprinkled  with  black  and  deep  scar- 
let ;  the  scarlet  on  the  throat  may  be  also  observed  in  the  young  males. 
The  pri'.icipal  food  of  these  binls  is  insects ;  and  they  seem  particularly 
fond  of  frequenting  orchards,  boring  the  trunks  of  the  apple-trees,  in 
their  eager  search  after  them.  On  opening  them,  the  liver  appears 
very  large,  and  of  a  dirty  gamboge  color ;  the  stomach  strongly  mus- 
cular, and  generally  filleil  with  fragments  of  beetles  and  gravel.  In 
the  morning  they  are  extremely  active  in  the  orchards,  and  rather  shyer 
than  the  rest  of  their  associates.  Their  cry  is  also  diff'erent,  but  though 
it  is  easily  distinguishable  in  the  woods,  cannot  bo  described  by  words. 


I 


I.  ,  1 


Species  VI.    PICUS  VILLOSUS. 

HAIRY    WOODPECKER. 

[Plate  IX.    Fig.  8.] 

Picns  villoaus,  LIN^f.  Syst.  i.,  175,  IC. — Pic  chcvclu  de  Vinjinie,  Buffon,  vu.  74. — 
Pic  earie  vifile  de  Vir(/inic,  PI.  enl.  7.')4, — Ilairij  Woodpecker,  C.\tesbv,  i.,  13, 
fig.  2.—Arct.  Zool.  II.,  No.  104.— Lath.  Syn.  ii.,  572,  18.  Id.  Sup.  108. 

This  is  another  of  our  resident  birds,  and,  like  the  former,  a  haunter 
of  orchards,  and  borer  of  apple-trees,  an  eager  hunter  of  insects,  their 
eggs  and  hirvte,  in  ohl  stumps,  and  okl  rails,  in  rotten  branches,  and 
crevices  of  the  bark ;  having  all  the  characters  of  the  Woodpecker 
strongly  marked.  In  the  month  of  May,  he  retires  with  his  mate  to  the 
woods,  and  either  seeks  out  a  branch  already  hollow,  or  cuts  out  an 
opening  for  himself.  In  the  former  case,  I  have  known  his  nest  more  than 
five  feet  distant  from  the  mouth  of  the  hole;  and  in  the  latter,  he  digs 
first  horizontally,  if  in  the  body  of  the  tree,  six  or  eight  inches,  mid 
then  downwards,  obtusely,  for  twice  that  distance ;  carrying  uj)  tiie 
chips  with  his  bill,  and  scraping  them  out  witii  his  feet.  They  alsi)  not 
unfrequently  choose  the  orchard  for  breeding  in  ;  and  even  an  old  stake 
of  the  fence,  which  they  excavate  for  this  purpose.  The  female  lays 
five  white  eggs,  and  hatches  in  June.  This  species  is  more  numcyous 
than  the  last  in  Pennsylvania,  anil  more  domestic  ;  freipiently  approacli- 
ing  the  farm-house,  and  skirts  of  the  town.  In  riiiladelphia,  I  have 
many  times  observed  them  examining  old  ragged  trunks  of  the  willow 
and  poplar,  while  people  were  passing  immediately  below.  Their  cry  is 
strong,  shrill  and  tremulous;  they  have  also  a  single  note  or  chuck, 
which  they  often  repeat,  in  an  eager  manner,  as  they  hop  about,  ami 
dig  into  the  crevices  of  the  trees.  They  inhabit  the  continent,  from 
Hudso'i's  Bay  to  Carolina  and  Georgia. 

The  Hairy  Woodpecker  is  nine  inches  long,  and  fifteen  in  extent ; 
crown  black  ;  line  over  and  under  the  eye  white;  the  c*ye  is  placetl  in  a 
black  line,  that  widens  as  it  descends  to  the  back ;  hind-head  scarlet, 
sometimes  intermixed  with  black  ;  nostrils  hid  under  remarkably  thick, 
bushy,  recumbent  hairs  or  bristles  ;  under  the  bill  are  certain  long  hiiirs 
thrown  forward,  and  upwards,  as  represented  in  the  figure  ;  bill  a  bluisii 
horn  color,  grooved,  wedged  at  the  end,  straight,  and  about  an  inch 
and  a  quarter  long ;  touclujs  of  black,  proceeiling  from  the  lower  uiaii- 
dible,  end  in  a  broad  black  stripe,  tliat  joins  the  black  on  the  shoulder ; 


182 


IIAIKY    WOODPECKER. 


back  black,  (livi(le<l  by  a  broad  bitoral  strip  of  white,  the  feathers  com- 
posing which  are  loose  and  unwebl)ed,  resembling  hairs,  whence  its 
name  ;  rump  and  shoulders  of  the  wing,  black  ;  wings  black,  tipped  and 
spotted  with  white,  three  rows  of  spots  being  visible  on  the  secondaries, 
and  five  on  the  primaries;  greater  wing-coverts  also  spotted  with  white; 
tail  as  in  the  others,  cuneiform,  consisting  of  ten  strong-shafted  and 
pointed  feathers,  the  four  middle  ones  black,  the  next  partially  white, 
the  two  exterior  ones  white,  tinged  at  the  tip  with  a  brownish  burnt 
color;  tail-coverts  black  ;  whole  lower  side  jjure  white ;  legs,  feet  and 
chiws,  light  blue,  the  latter  remarkably  large  and  strong;  inside  of  thp 
mouth  Uesh-colored ;  tongue  pointed,  beset  with  barbs,  and  capable  of 
being  j)rotruded  more  than  an  inch  and  a  half;  the  os  hyoides,  in  tlii? 
species,  pass  on  each  side  of  the  neck,  ascend  the  skull,  pass  down 
toward  the  nostril,  and  are  wound  round  the  bone  of  the  right  eye, 
which  projects  considerably  more  than  the  left  for  its  accommodation. 
The  grea*  mass  of  hairs,  that  covqr  the  nostril,  ajipears  to  be  designed 
as  a  protection  to  the  fnmt  of  the  head,  when  the  bird  is  engaged  in 
digging  holes  into  the  wood.  The  membrane,  which  encloses  the  brain, 
in  this,  as  in  all  the  other  species  of  Woodpeckers,  is  also  of  extraordinary 
strength,  no  doubt  to  prevent  any  bad  effects  from  violent  concussion, 
while  the  bird  is  employed  in  digging  for  food.  The  female  wants  the 
red  on  the  himl-head ;  and  the  white  below  is  tinged  with  brownish. 
The  manner  of  flight  of  these  birds  has  been  already  described,  under  a 
former  species,  as  consisting  ',f  alternate  risings  and  sinkings.  Q'hc 
Hairy  Woodpeckers  generally  utter  a  loud  trennilous  scream,  as  they 
Bet  off,  and  when  they  alight.  They  are  hard  to  kill,  and,  like  the  Red- 
hcadeil  Woodpecker,  hang  by  the  claws,  even  of  a  single  foot,  as  long  as 
a  spark  of  life  remains,  before  they  drop. 

This  species  is  common  at  Hudson's  I5ay ;  and  has  lately  been  found 
in  England.  Dr.  Latham  examined  a  pair,  which  were  shot  near  Halifax, 
in  Yorkshire  ;  and  on  comparing  the  male  with  one  brought  from  North 
America,  could  perceive  no  difference,  but  in  a  slight  interruption  of 
the  red  that  marked  the  hind-head  of  the  former;  a  circumstance  which 
I  have  frequently  observed  in  our  own.  The  two  females  corresponded 
exactly. 


■i 

||' 

^.^H 

If 

^^9^ 

i  ' 

"fF 

f  : 

i  iji 

■.i  . 

Species  VII.    PIOUS  PUBESCENS. 

DOWNY    WOODPECKER. 

[Plate  IX.    Fig.  4.] 

Picui  pubescais,  Linn.  Syst.  i.,  175,  15. — Omel.  Syat,  i.,  435. — Petit  Pic  varie  de 
Vinjinie,  Blkfon,  vii.,  76. — Smallest  IVoottpecker,  Catesii.  i.,  21. — Arct.  Zonl. 
II.,  No.  Wh—LUtle  Woodpecker,  Lath.  Siin.  ii.,  573,  19.     Id.  Sup.  100. 

This  is  the  smallest  of  our  Woodpeckers,  and  so  exactly  resembles 
the  former  in  its  tints  and  markings,  and  in  almost  everything,  except 
its  diminutive  size,  that  I  wonder  how  it  passed  through  the  Count  de 
Buffon's  hands,  without  being  branded  as  "  a  spurious  race,  degenerated 
by  the  influence  of  food,  climate,  or  some  unknown  cause."  But  though 
it  has  escaped  this  infamy,  charges  of  a  much  more  heinous  nature  have 
been  brought  against  it,  not  only  by  the  writer  above-mentioned,  but  by 
the  whole  venerable  body  of  zoologists  in  Europe,  who  have  treated 
of  its  hi.story,  viz.  that  it  is  almost  constantly  boring  and  digging  into 
apple-trees ;  and  that  it  is  the  most  destructive  of  its  whole  genus  to 
the  orchards.  The  first  part  of  this  charge  I  shall  not  pretend  to  deny  ; 
how  far  the  other  is  founded  in  truth  will  appear  in  the  sequel.  Like 
the  two  former  8j)ccies,  it  remains  with  us  the  whole  year.  About  the 
middle  of  May,  the  male  and  female  look  out  for  a  suitable  place  for 
the  reception  of  their  eggs  and  young.  An  apple,  pear  or  cherry  tree, 
often  in  the  near  neighborhood  of  the  farm-house,  is  generally  pitched 
upon  for  this  purpose.  The  tree  is  minutely  reconnoitred  for  several 
days,  previous  to  the  operation,  and  the  work  is  first  begun  by  the  male, 
who  cuts  out  a  hole  in  the  solid  wood,  as  circular  as  if  described  with  a 
pair  of  compasses.  lie  is  occasionally  relieved  by  the  female,  both 
parties  working  with  the  most  indefatigable  diligence.  The  direction 
of  the  hole,  if  made  in  the  body  of  the  tree,  is  generally  downwards, 
by  an  angle  of  thirty  or  forty  degrees,  for  the  distance  of  six  or  eight 
iii("ln'«.  ,ui(l  ilien  stniight  down  for  tenor  twelve  more ;  within  roomy, 
caj>aeiou8,  and  as  smooth  as  if  polished  by  the  cabinet-maker ;  but  the 
entrance  is  judiciously  left  just  so  large  as  to  admit  the  body  of  the 
owner.  During  this  labor,  they  regularly  carry  out  the  chips,  often 
strewing  them  at  a  distance  to  prevent  su.spicion.  This  operation  some- 
times occupies  the  chief  part  of  a  week.  Before  she  begins  to  lay,  the 
female  often  visits  the  place,  passes  out  and  in,  examines  every  part, 
both  of  the  exterior  and  interior,  with  great  attention,  as  every  pru- 

(183) 


!l 


184 


DOWNY    WOODPECKER. 


i  i 


b9»'       ■'I 

ii 


u     '■  I  " 


•lent  tenant  of  a  ncM-  Louso  ought  to  do,  and  at  length  taker  complete 
possession.  The  eggs  are  generally  six,  pure  white,  and  Iiiid  on  the 
BDiooth  bottom  of  the  cavity.  Tho  male  oeeasioiially  supplioH  the 
female  with  food,  while  she  is  sitting ;  and  about  the  last  week  in  June, 
tho  young  are  perceived  making  their  way  up  tho  troo,  clind)ing  with 
considerable  dexterity.  All  this  goes  on  with  great  regularity,  where 
no  interruption  is  met  with  ;  but  the  House  Wren,  who  also  builds  in 
tiie  hollow  of  a  tree,  but  who  is  neither  furnished  with  tlie  necessary 
tools,  nor  strength  for  excavating  such  an  apartment  for  himself,  allows 
the  Woodpeckers  to  go  on,  till  he  thinks  it  will  answer  his  purjmse,  then 
attacks  him  with  violence  and  generally  succeeds  in  driving  them  off. 
I  saw,  some  weeks  ago,  a  striking  example  of  this,  where  the  Wood- 
peckers we  are  now  describing,  after  commencing  in  a  cherry-trco, 
within  a  few  yards  of  the  house,  and  having  made  considerable  progress, 
were  turned  out  by  the  Wren  :  the  former  l)egan  again  on  n  pear-troo 
in  the  garden,  fifteen  or  twenty  yards  oft",  whence,  after  digging  out  a 
most  complete  apartment,  and  one  egg  being  laid,  they  were  once  more 
assaulted  by  tiie  same  impertinent  intruder,  and  finally  forced  to  abandon 
the  place. 

Th(  principal  characteristics  of  this  little  bird  are  diligence,  famil- 
iarity, perseverance,  and  a  strength  and  energy  in  the  head,  and  muscles 
of  the  neck,  which  are  truly  astonishing.  Mounted  on  the  infected 
branch  of  an  old  ajjple-tree,  where  insects  have  lodged  their  corroding 
and  destructive  brood,  in  the  crevices  between  the  bark  and  wood,  ho 
labors,  sometimes  for  half  an  hour,  incessantly  at  the  same  spot,  before 
he  has  succeeded  in  dislodging  and  destroying  them.  At  these  times 
you  may  walk  up  pretty  close  to  the  tree,  and  even  stand  innnediately 
below  it,  within  five  or  six  feet  of  the  bird,  without  in  the  least  embar- 
rassing him  ;  the  strokes  of  liio  bill  arc  distinctly  heard  several  hundred 
yards  off;  and  I  have  known  him  to  be  at  work  for  two  hours  together 
on  the  same  tree.  Buffon  calls  tliis,  "incessant  toil  and  slavery," — 
their  attitude,  "a  painful  posture," — and  their  life,  "a  dull  and 
insipid  existence ;"  expressions  improper,  because  untrue ;  and  absurd, 
because  contradictory.  The  posture  is  that  for  which  the  whole 
organization  of  iiis  frame  is  particularly  adapted ;  ami  though  to  a 
Wren,  or  a  Humming-bird,  the  labor  would  be  both  toil  and  slavery, 
yet  to  him  it  is,  I  am  convinced,  as  pleasant,  and  as  amusing,  as  the 
sports  of  the  chase  to  the  hunter,  or  the  sucking  of  fiowers  to  the 
Humming-bird.  The  eagerness  with  which  he  traverses  the  uj)per  and 
lower  sides  of  tho  branches ;  the  cheerfulness  of  his  cry,  and  the 
liveliness  of  his  motions  wliile  digging  into  tho  tree,  and  dislodging 
the  vermin,  justify  this  belief.  He  has  a  single  note,  or  chink,  which, 
like  tlie  former  species,  he  frei|ueiitiy  repeats.  And  when  hi'  Hies 
ofi",  or  alights  on  another  tree,  he  utters  a  rather  shriller  cry,  composed 


I 


DOWNY    WOODPECKER. 


185 


of  nearly  the  same  kiiitl   of  note,   quickly  reiterated.      In   fall    and 
winter,  ho  associates  with  the  Titmouse,  Creeper,  &c.,   both  in  their 
wood  and  orchard  cxcursionB ;  and  usually  leads  the  van.     Of  all  our 
Woodpeckers,  none   rid   the  apple-trees  of  so  many  vermin   as  this, 
digging    off  the   moss,   which   the   negligence   of  the  proprietor  had 
Buffered  to  accumulate,  and  probing  every  cievice.     In  fact,  the  orchard 
is  his  favorite  resort  in  all  seasons ;    and  his  industry  is  unequalled, 
and  almost  incessant,  which  is  more  than  can  be  said  of  any  other 
species  we  have.     In  fall,  he  is  particularly  fond  of  boring  the  apple- 
trees  for  insects,  digging  a  circular  hole  through  the  bark,  just  sufficient 
to  admit   his  bill,  after   that  a  second,  third,  &c.,  in  pretty  regular 
horizontal  circles  round  the  body  of  the  tree ;  these  parallel  circles  of 
holes  are  often  not  more  than  an  inch,  or  an  inch  and  a  half,  apart,  and 
sometimes  so  close  together,  that  I  have  covered  eight  or  ten  of  them 
at  once  with  a  dollar.     From  nearly  the  surface  of  the  ground,  up  to 
the  first  fork,  and  sometimes  far  beyond  it,  the  whole  bark  of  many  apple- 
trees  is   perforated  in   this    manner,  so  as  to  appear    as  if  made  by 
successive  discharges  of  buck-shot ;    and   our  little   Woodpecker,  the 
Bubjeot  of  the  present  account,  is  the  principal  perpetrator  of  this 
supposed  miscliief.     I  say  supposed,  for  so  far  from  these  perforations 
of  the  bark  ])eing  ruinous,  they  are  not  only  harmless,  but,  I  have  good 
reason  to  believe,  really  beneficial  to  the  health  and  fertility  of  the  tree. 
I  leave  it  to  the  philosophical  botanist  to  account  for  this ;  but  the  fact 
I  am  confident  of.     In  more  than  fifty  orchards,  which  I  have  myself 
carefully  examined,  those  trees  which  were  marked  by  the  Woodpecker 
(for  some   trees  they  never  touch,  perhaps  because  not  penetrated  by 
insects),  were  uniformly  the  most  thriving,  and  seemingly  the  most  p '•o- 
ductive ;   many  of  these  were  upwards  of  sixty  years  old,  their  trunks 
completely  covered  with  holes,  while  the  brandies  were  broad,  luxuri- 
ant, and  loaded  with  fruit.      Of  decayed  trees,  more  than  three-fourths 
were  untouched  by  the  Woodpecker.     Several  intelligent  farmers,  with 
whom  I   have   conversed,    candidly    acknowledge   the    truth   of   these 
observations,  and  with  justice  look  upon  these  birds  as  beneficial  ;  but 
the  most  common  opinion  is,  that  they  bore  the  tree  to  suck  the  sap, 
and  so  destroy  its  vegetation  ;  though  pine  and  other  resinous  trees,  on 
che  juices  of  which  it  is  not  pretended  they  feed,  are  often  found  equally 
perforated.     Were  the  sap  of  tlie  tree  their  object,  the  saccharine  juice 
of  the  l)ir('h,  tlie  sugur-niiiple,  and  several  others,  would  bo  much  more 
inviting,  because  more  sweet  and  nourishing,  than  that  of  cither  the 
pear  or  iipple-tree;  but  I  have  not  observed  one  mark  on  the  fcrmer, 
for  ten  tliousand  that  may  be  seo«  on   the  latter ;  besides,  the  early 
part  of  spring  is  tiie  season  when  the  sap  iiows  most  abundantly  ;  where- 
as it  is  only  during  ihe  months  of  September,  October,  and  November, 
that  Woodpeckers  arc  seen  so  indefatigably  engaged  in  orchards,  probing 


186 


DOWNY    WOODPECKER. 


every  crack  and  crevice,  boring  through  the  bark,  and,  what  is  worth 
remarking,  chicfl  ■  on  the  south  and  south-west  sides  of  the  tree,  for 
the  eggs  and  larvie  deposited  there,  !\v  the  countless  swarms  of  summer 
insects.  These,  if  suffered  to  remain,  would  prey  upon  the  very  vitals, 
if  I  may  so  express  it,  of  the  tree,  and  in  the  succeeding  summer,  give 
birth  to  myriads  more  of  their  race,  equally  destructive. 

Here  then  is  a  whole  species,  I  may  say  genus,  of  birds,  which  Pro- 
vidence seems  to  have  formed  for  the  protection  of  our  fruit  and  forest 
trees,  from  the  ravages  of  vermin  ;  which  every  day  destroy  millions 
of  those  no.xious  insects,  that  would  otherwise  blast  the  hopes  of  the 
husbandman ;  and  whicli  even  promote  the  fertility  of  the  tree ;  and, 
in  return,  are  proscribed  by  those  Avho  ought  to  have  been  their  pro- 
tectors ;  and  incitements  and  rewards  held  out  for  their  destruction ! 
Let  us  examine  better  into  the  operations  of  nature,  and  many  of  our 
mistaken  opinions,  and  groundless  prejudices,  will  be  abandoned  for 
more  just,  enlarged,  and  humane  modes  of  thinking. 

The  length  of  the  Downy  Woodpecker  is  six  inches  and  three- 
quarters,  and  its  extent  twelve  inches ;  crown  black  ;  hind-head  deep 
scarlet ;  stripe  over  the  eye  white ;  nostrils  thickly  covered  with  re- 
cumbent hairs,  or  small  feathers,  of  a  cream  color :  these,  as  in  the 
preceding  species,  are  thick  and  bushy,  as  if  designed  to  preserve  the 
forehead  from  iniurv  during  the  violent  action  of  di'T'iinj' ;  the  back  is 
black,  and  divided  by  a  lateral  strip  of  white,  loose,  downy,  unwebbed 
feathers;  wings  black,  spotted  with  white;  tail-coverts,  rump,  and  four 
middle  feathers  of  the  tail,  black  ;  the  other  three  on  each  side  white, 
crossed  with  touches  of  black  ;  whole  under  parts,  as  well  as  the  sides 
of  the  neck,  white ;  the  latter  marked  with  a  streak  of  black,  proceed- 
ing from  the  lower  mandible,  exactly  as  in  thr  Hairy  Woodpecker ;  legs 
and  feet  bluish  green ;  claws  light  blue,  tipped  with  black  ;  tongue 
formed  like  that  of  the  preceding  species,  horny  towards  the  tip,  whore 
for  one-eighth  of  an  inch  it  is  barbed ;  bill  of  a  bluish  horn  color, 
grooved,  and  wedge-formed,  like  most  of  the  genus ;  eye  dark  hazel. 
The  female  wants  the  red  on  the  hind-head,  having  that  part  white ;  and 
the  breast  and  belly  are  of  a  dirty  white. 

This,  and  the  two  former  species,  are  generally  denominated  Sap- 
suckenj ;  they  have  also  several  other  provincial  ii|iptllations,  equally 
absurd,  which  it  may,  perhaps,  bo  more  proper  to  suppress,  than  to 
sanction  by  repeating. 


I'i: 


Species  VIII.    PICVS  QUERULUS. 

RED-COCKADED  WOODPECKER. 

[Plate  XV.    Fig.l.] 

This  new  species  I  first  discovered  in  the  pine  woods  of  North  Caro- 
lina. The  singulivrity  of  its  voice,  which  greatly  resembles  the  chirping 
of  young  nestlings,  and  the  red  streak  on  the  side  of  its  head,  suggested 
the  specific  name  I  have  given  it.  It  also  extends  through  South  Caro- 
lina and  Georgia,  at  least  as  far  as  the  Altamaha  river.  Observing  the 
first  specimen  I  found  to  be  so  slightly  marked  witli  red,  I  suspected  it 
to  be  a  young  bird,  or  imperfect  in  its  plumage,  but  the  great  numbers 
I  afterwards  shot,  satisfied  me  that  this  is  a  peculiarity  of  the  species. 
It  appeared  exceedingly  restless,  active,  and  clamorous ;  and  every- 
where I  found  its  manners  the  same. 

This  bird  seems  to  be  an  intermediate  link  between  the  Red-bellied 
and  the  Hairy  Woodpecker,  represented  in  Plates  VII.  and  IX.  of  this 
work.  It  has  the  back  of  the  former,  and  the  white  belly  and  spotted 
neck  of  the  latter ;  but  wants  the  breadth  of  red  in  both,  and  is  less 
than  either.  A  preserved  specimen  has  been  deposited  in  the  Museum 
of  this  city. 

This  Woodpecker  is  seven  inches  and  a  half  long,  and  thirteen  broad ; 
the  upper  part  of  the  head  is  "black  ;  the  back  barreil  with  twelve  white, 
transversely,  semicircular  lines,  and  as  many  of  black,  alternately ;  the 
cheeks  and  sides  of  the  neck  are  white ;  whole  lower  parts  the  same ; 
from  the  lower  mandible,  a  list  of  black  passes  towards  the  shoulder  of 
the  wing,  where  it  is  lost  in  small  black  spots  on  each  side  of  the  breast ; 
the  wing;*  are  black,  spotted  with  white ;  the  four  middle  tail  feathers 
black,  die  rest  white  spotted  with  black ;  rump  black,  variegated  with 
white ;  the  vent  white,  spotted  with  black  ;  the  hairs  that  cover  the  nos- 
trils are  of  a  pale  cream  color ;  the  bill  deep  slate ;  but  what  forms  the 
most  distinguishi^ng  peculiarity  of  this  bird,  is  a  fine  line  of  vermilion, 
on  each  side  of  the  head,  seldom  occupying  more  than  the  edge  of  a 
single  feathi-r.  The  fema'e  is  destitute  of  this  ornament ;  but  in  the  rest 
of  her  plumage  differs  in  nothing  from  the  male.  The  iris  of  the  eye, 
in  lioth,  was  hazel. 

Tlu-  stomachs  of  all  those  I  opened  were  filled  with  small  black  in- 
sects, and  fragments  of  large  beetles.  The  posterior  extremities  of  the 
tongue  reached  nearly  to  the  base  of  the  upper  mandible. 

(187) 


M"^ 


l( 


m' 


ttff 


II 


Species  IX.    PICUS  TORQUATUS. 

LEWIS'S    WOODPECKER. 

[Plato  XX.    Fig.  3] 

Of  this  very  beautiful,  and  singularly  marked,  species,  I  am  unable 
to  give  any  farther  account  than  as  relates  to  its  external  appearance. 
Several  skins  of  this  species  were  preserved;  all  of  which  I  examined 
with  care;  and  found  little  or  no  diflerence  among  them,  either  in  the 
tints  or  disposition  of  the  colors. 

The  length  of  this.was  eleven  inches  and  a  half;  the  back,  wings,  and 
tail,  were  black,  with  a  strong  gloss  of  green  ;  upper  part  of  the  head 
the  same ;  front,  chin,  and  cheeks,  beyond  the  eyes,  a  dark  rich  red; 
round  the  neck  passes  a  broad  collar  of  white,  which  spreads  over  the 
breast,  and  looks  as  if  the  filires  of  the  feathers  had  been  silvered  ;  these 
feathers  are  also  of  a  particular  structure,  the  fibres  being  separate,  and 
of  a  hair-Iikc  texture;  belly  deep  vermilion,  and  of  the  same  strong 
hair-like  feathers,  intermixed  with  silvery  ones ;  vent  black ;  legs  and 
feet  dusky,  inclining  to  greenish  blue ;  bill  dark  horn  color. 

For  a  more  particular,  and,  (h)ubtless,  a  more  correct  account  of  this, 
and  the  two  preceding  species,*  the  reader  is  referred  to  General  Clark's 
History  of  the  Expedition,  now  ])reparing  for  the  press.  Tiie  three 
birils  I  have  here  intr(iduce<l,  are  but  ii  small  part  of  the  valuable  col- 
lection of  new  subjects  in  natural  history,  discovered,  and  preserved, 
amidst  a  thousand  dangers  and  difficulties,  by  those  two  enterprising 
travellers,  whose  intrepidity  was  oidy  ecpialled  by  their  discretion,  and 
by  their  active  ami  laborinus  pursuit  of  whativer  might  tend  to  render 
their  jdurney  useful  to  science  iind  to  their  country.  It  was  the  re(|uest, 
and  particular  wish,  of  Captain  Lewis,  made  to  me  in  person,  that  I 
should  make  drawings  of  such  of  the  feathered  tribes  as  had  lucii  pre- 
served, and  were  new.  That  brave  soldier,  that  amiabli-  and  i-xccllent 
man,  over  whose  solitary  i^rave  in  the  wildi'rni'.ss  1  have  since  shed  tears 
of  afliietion,  having  been  cut  off  in  the  prime  of  his  life,  I  hope  I  shall 
be  panloned  for  consecrating  this  Innnble  note  to  his  memory,  until  a 
more  able  pen  shall  do  better  justice  to  the  sultject. 


•  Wilson  here  alliuk's  to  Clurk's  Crow,  ami  tho  Louisiana  Tunaj;er,  both  of  which 
are  fij^urcd  in  tlu.'  Kinic  plate  with  Lewis's  Woodiieckor. 

(I8«) 


*  I 


Specie-  X.    PICUS  CAItOLINUS. 

KED-BELLIED  WOODPECKER. 

[Plate  VII.    Fig.  2.] 

Piciis  Carolinus,  Linn.  Si/st.  i.,  174,  10. — Pic  varie  de  la  Jamaique,  Buffon,  vii., 
72,  Ph  Enl.  597. — Piciis  varUis  medius  Jamuicen.siH,  Si.oan.  Jmh.  21(9,  15, — Ja- 
maica  Woodpecker,  Edw.  244. — Catesd.  i.,  19,  fig.  2. — Ard.  Zool.  ii.,  No.  101. — 
Lath.  Syn.u.,  570,  17.  Id.  571,  17.  A.  Id.  B. — Pic  raye  de  la  Louisiane,  Buff. 
VII.,  73,  PI.  Enl.  692. 

This  species  possesses  all  the  restless  and  noisy  habits  so  characteris- 
tic of  its  tribe.    It  is  more  shy,  and  less  domestic,  than  the  Red-headed 
Woodpecker,  {P.  crythrocephalus),  or  any  of  the  other  spotted  Wood- 
peckers.   It  is  also  more  solitary.    It  prefers  the  largest,  high-timbered 
woods,  and  tallest  decayed  trees  of  the  forest ;  seldom  appearing  near 
the  ground,  on  the  fences,  or  in  orchards,  or  open  fields ;  yet  ■where  the 
trees  have  been  deadened,  and  stand  pretty  thick,  in  fields  of  Indian 
corn,  as  is  common  in  new  settlements,  I  have  observeil  it  to  be  very 
numerous;  and  have  found  its  stomach  sometimes  completely  filled  with 
that  grain.     Its  voice  is  hoarser  than  any  of  the  others ;  and  its  usual 
note,  chow,  has  often  reminded   me  of  the  barking  of  a  little  lap-dog. 
It  is  a  most  expert  climber,  possessing  extraordinary  strength  in  the 
muscles  of  its  feet  and  claws,  and  moves  aliout  the  body,  and  horizontal 
limbs,  of  the  trees,  Avith  equal  facility  in  all  directions.     It  rattles,  like 
the  rest  of  the  tribe,  on  the  dead  liiul)s,  and  with  such  violence  as  to  be 
heard,  in  still  weather,  more  than  half  a  mile  off;  and  listens  to  hear 
the  insects  it  has  alarmed.    In  the  lower  side  of  some  lofty  branch,  that 
makes  a  considerable  angle  with  the  horizon,  the  male  and  ftjuiale,  ia 
conjunction,  dig  out  a  circular  cavity  for  their  nest,  sometimes  out  of 
the  solid  wood,  but  more  generally  into  a  hollow  limb,  twelve  or  fifteen 
inches  above  where  it  becomes  solid.    This  is  usually  performed  early  in 
April.     The  female  lays  five  eggs,  of  a  pure  white,  or  almost  semi- 
tiiinsparent ;  and  the  young  generally  make  their  appearance  towards 
the  latter  end  of  May,  or  beginning  of  June,  climbing  up  to  the  higher 
parts  of  the  tree,  being  as  yet  unable  to  fly.     In  this  situation  they  are 
fed  for  several  days,  and  often  liecome  the  prey  of  the  Hawks.     From 
seeing  the  old  ones  continuing  their  caresses  after  this  period,   I  believe 
that  they  often,  and  perhaps  always,  produce  two  broods  in  a  season. 
During  the  greater  part  of  the  summer,  the  young  have  the  ridge  of  the 

(189) 


i 


■'■  i;pf '• 


190 


REP-BELLIED    WOODPECKEU. 


neck  and  head  of  a  dull   brownish  ash ;  and  a  malo  of  the  third  year 
has  received  his  complete  colors. 

The  Red-bellied  Woodpecker  is  ten  inches  in  length,  and  seventeen  in 
extent ;  the  bill  is  nearly  an  inch  and  a  half  in  length,  wedged  at  the 
point,  but  not  quite  so  much  grooved  as  some  otherM,  strong,  and  of  a 
bluish-black  color ;  the  nostrils  are  placed  in  one  of  th'i'se  grooves,  and 
covered  with  curving  tufts  of  light  brown  hairs,  ending  in  black  points ; 
the  feathers  on  the  front  stand  more  erect  than  usual,  and  are  of  a  dull 
yellowish  red ;  from  thence  along  the  whole  upper  part  of  the  head  and 
neck,  down  the  back,  and  spreading  round  to  the  shoulders,  is  of  the 
most  brilliant  golden  glossy  re<l ;  the  whole  cheeks,  line  over  the  eye, 
and  under  side  of  the  neck,  is  a  pale  buff  color,  which  on  tli>!  breast  and 
bi'lly  deepens  into  a  yelbnvish   ash,  stained  on   the  belly  with   a   blood 
red;   the  vent  and  thigh  tVathers  are  dull  white,  niarkfd  down  their  cen- 
tres with  heart-formed,  and  long  arrow-pointeil,  spots  of  black.     The 
back  is  black,  crossed  with  transverse  curving  lines  of  white ;  the  wings 
are  also  black,  the  lesser  wing-covorts  circularly  tipped,  and   the  whole 
primaries  and   secondaries  beautifully  crossed  with   bars  of  white,  and 
also  tipped  with  the  same ;  the  rump  is  white,  interspersed  with  touches 
of  black;  the  tail-coverts  white  near  their  extremities;  the  tail  consists 
of  ten  feathers,  the  two  middle  ones  black,  their  interior  webs  or  vanes 
white,  crossed  with  diagonal  spots  of  black  ;  these,  when  the  edges  of 
the  two  feathers  just  tcmch,  coincide,  and   form  heart-shaped  sj)ots ; 
a  narrow  sword-shaped  line  of  white  runs  up  the  exterior  side  of  the 
shafts  of  the  same  feathers :  the  next  four  feathers,  on  each  side,  are 
black,   the  outer  eilges  of   the  exterior   ones    barred  with   black   and 
■  white,  which,  on  the  lower  side,  seems  to  cross  the  whole  vane  as  in  the 
figure ;  the  extremities  of  the  whole  tail,  except  the  outer  feather,  arc 
black,  sometimes  touched  with  yellowish  or  cream  color;  the  legs  and 
feet  are  of  a  bluish  green,  and  the  iris  of  the  eye  red.     The  tongue,  or 
0*  Jn/oi'th'S,  passes  up  over  the  hind-head,   anil  is  attached  by  a  very 
elastic  retractile  membrane,  to  the  base  of  the  right  nostril  ;  the  c':-, 
tremity  of  the  tongue  is  long,  horny,  very  jioinfed,  and  thickly  edged 
with   barbs,  the  other  part  of  the  tongue  is   worm-sliaj)ed.     Jn  several 
specinifiis,  I  fouml  the  stomach  ne.'irly  fdli'd  with  pieces  of  a  species  of 
fungus,  that  grows  on   decayeil   wood,  and   in   all   with   great   lunnbers 
of  insects,  seeds,  gravel,  i*i:c.  (See.     The  female  differs  from  the  nuile,  in 
having  the  crown,  for  an  inch,  of  a  fine  ash,  ami  the  black  not  so  intense  ; 
the  front  is  red<lish  as  in   the  male,  and  the  whole  liind-heml,  down  to 
the  back,  likewise  of  the  same  rich  reil  as  his.     In  the  bird,  from  which 
this  latter  description  was  taken,  I  found  a  large  cluster  of  minute  eggs, 
to   the  number  of  fifty  or  upwards,  in  the  beginning  of  the  month  of 

Tliis  species  inhabits  a  large  extent  of  country,  in  all  of  which  it 


WHITE-BREASTED    NUTnATCII. 


191 


Beema  to  be  resident,  or  nearly  so.  I  found  them  abundant  in  Upper 
Canada,  and  in  the  northern  parts  of  the  state  of  New  York,  in  the 
month  of  November ;  they  also  inhabit  the  whole  Atlantic  states  as  far 
as  Georgia,  and  the  southern  extremity  of  Florida ;  as  well  as  the 
interior  parts  of  the  United  States,  as  far  west  as  Chilicothe,  in  the 
state  of  Ohio,  and,  according  to  Buffon,  Louisiana.  They  are  said  to 
be  the  only  Woodpeckers  found  in  Jamaica ;  thougli  I  question  whether 
this  be  correct ;  and  to  be  extremely  fond  of  the  capsicum,  or  Indian 
pepper.*  They  are  certainly  much  hardier  birds,  and  capable  of  sub- 
sisting on  coarser,  and  more  various  fare,  and  of  sustaining  a  greater 
degree  of  cold,  than  several  others  of  our  Woodpeckers.  They  are 
active  and  vigorous ;  and  being  almost  continually  in  search  of  insects, 
that  injure  our  forest  trees,  do  not  seem  to  deserve  the  injurious  epithets 
that  almost  all  writers  have  given  them.  It  is  true,  they  frequently 
perforate  the  timber  in  pursuit  of  these  vermin,  but  this  is  almost  always 
in  dead  and  decaying  parts  of  the  tree,  which  are  the  nests  and  nurseries 
of  millions  of  destructive  insects.  Considering  matters  in  this  light  I 
do  not  think  their  services  overpaid  by  all  the  ears  of  Indian  corn  they 
consume ;  and  would  protect  them  within  my  own  premises  as  being 
more  useful  than  injurious. 


Genus  XXV.    SITTA.    NUTIIATCII. 
Species  I.     &  CAItOLlXEKSIS. 

WHITE-BREASTED    NUTIIATCII. 

[Plate  II.    Fig.  3.] 

Sillu  Carolinnisiit,  Briss.  hi.,  p.  50().— Catesu,  i.,  22,  fl;;.  2.— Lath,  i.,  (iW,  B.— 
Siffa  l-'iirnpca,  Gray  Uark-rapind  Xnlhittrh,  Hartkam,  p.  289. 

The  bill  of  this  bird  is  lilack,  the  upper  niamlible  strai/^dit,  the  lower 
one  rounded  upwards,  towards  tiie  point,  and  white  near  the  base ;  the 
nostrils  are  covered  with  long  curving  l)lack  hairs;  the  tongue  is  of  a 
horny  substanei'  and  ending  in  several  sharp  points ;  the  general  color 
above  is  of  a  lij^lit  blue  or  lead  ;  the  (ail  consists  of  twelve  feathers, 
the  two  miiidle  ones  lead  color,  the  next  three  are  black,  ti|)ped  with 
white  for  one-tenth,  one-fourth,  and  half  of  an  inch ;  the  two  next  are 
also  black,  tipped  half  an  inch  or  more  with  white,  which  runs  nearly 
an  inch  up  their  exterior  edges,  and  both  have  the  white  at  tlie  tips 
touched  with  black  ;  the  legs  are  of  a  purple  or  dirty  ilesh  color;  the 

*  Slonne. 


h 


192 


WHITE-BREASTED    NUTHATCH. 


ij.  l^ 


I. 


Mk-  '''in 


It 


hind  claw  is  much  the  largest ;  the  inside  of  the  wing  at  the  bond  ia 
black  ;  below  this  is  a  white  spot  spreading  over  the  roots  of  the  first 
five  primaries ;  the  whole  length  is  five  inches  and  a  half,  extent  eleven. 

Mr.  Pennant  considers  this  bird  as  a  mere  variety  of  the  European 
Nuthatch ;  but  if  difference  in  size,  color  and  habits,  bo  sufficient 
characteristics  of  a  distinct  species,  this  bird  is  certainly  entitled  to  bo 
considered  as  such.  The  head  and  back  of  the  European  species  is  of 
a  uniform  bluish  gray  ;  the  upper  parts  of  the  head,  neck,  and  shoulders 
of  ours  are  a  deep  black,  glossed  with  green  ;  the  breast  and  belly  of 
the  former  is  a  dull  orange,  with  streaks  of  chestnut,  those  parts  in  tho 
latter  are  pure  white.  The  European  has  a  line  of  black  passing 
through  the  eye,  half  way  down  the  neck ;  the  present  species  has 
nothing  of  the  kind ;  but  appears  with  tho  inner  webs  of  the  three 
shortest  secondaries,  and  the  primaries,  of  a  jet  black  ;  the  latter  tipped 
with  white,  and  the  venl  and  lower  parts  of  the  thighs  of  a  rust  color ; 
the  European  therefore,  and  tho  present,  are  evidently  two  distinct  and 
dift'orent  species. 

This  bird  builds  its  nest  early  in  April,  in  the  hole  of  a  tree ;  in  a 
hollow  rail  in  the  fence ;  and  sometimes  in  the  wooden  cornice  under 
the  eaves ;  and  lays  five  eggs,  of  a  dull  white,  spotted  with  brown  at  tho 
greater  end.  The  male  is  I'xfreniely  attentive  to  the  fonuile  while  sit- 
ting, supplying  her  regularly  with  sustenance,  stopping  frequently  at 
tho  mouth  of  the  hole,  calling  and  ofl'ering  her  what  he  has  brought,  in 
the  most  endearing  manner.  Sometimes  he  seems  to  stop  merely  to  in- 
quire how  slie  is,  and  to  lighten  the  tedious  moments  with  his  soothing 
cliatter.  He  seldom  rambles  far  from  the  spot,  and  when  dangi'r  ajipoars, 
regardless  of  his  own  safety,  he  flies  instantly  to  alarm  hor.  When 
both  are  fee<ling  on  tho  trunk  of  the  same  tree,  or  of  adjoining  ones,  ho 
is  perpetually  calling  on  her  ;  and,  from  tho  momentary  pause  he  makes, 
it  is  plain  that  he  feels  pleased  to  hear  her  reply. 

The  White-breasted  Nuthatch  is  common  almost  everywhere  in  the 
woods  of  North  America ;  and  may  be  known  at  a  distance  by  the  notes 
quank,  quatik,  frequently  rcpeateil,  as  he  moves  upward  and  down,  in 
spiral  circles,  around  the  body,  and  larger  branches,  of  the  trc'o,  prob- 
ing behind  the  thin  scaly  bark  of  the  white-oak,  and  shelling  off  con- 
siderable pieces  of  it,  in  search  after  spiders,  ants,  insects  and  their 
larvic.  lie  rests  and  roosts  with  his  head  downwards ;  and  appears  to 
possess  a  degree  of  curiosity  not  common  to  many  birds;  f're(iuently 
descending,  very  silently,  within  a  few  feet  of  the  root  of  the  tree 
where  you  happen  to  stand,  stopping,  head  downward,  stretching  out  his 
neck  in  a  horizontal  position,  as  if  to  reconnoitre  your  appearance ;  and 
after  several  minutes  of  silent  observation,  wheeling  round,  he  again 
mounts,  with  fresh  activity,  piping  his  unisons  as  before.  Strongly 
attached  to  his  native  forests,  he  seldom  forsakes  them ;  and  amidst  tho 


W  II I  T  E  -  B  U  E  A  S  T  E  D    NUTHATCH. 


193 


rigors  of  the  severest  winter  wcatlier,  his  note  is  still  heard  in  the  bleak 
and  leafless  woods,  an<l  among  the  howling  branches.  Sometimes  the 
rain,  freezing  as  it  falls,  encloses  every  twig,  and  even  the  trunk  of  the 
tree,  in  a  hard  transparent  coat  or  shell  of  ice.  On  these  occasions,  I 
have  observed  his  an.xiety  and  dissatisfaction,  at  being  with  difficulty 
able  to  make  his  way  along  the  smooth  surface ;  at  these  times  generally 
abandoning  the  trees,  gleaning  about  the  stables  around  the  liouse,  mix- 
ing among  the  fowls,  entering  the  barn,  and  examining  the  beams  and 
rafters,  and  every  place  where  he  may  pick  up  a  subsistence. 

The  name  Nuthatch  has  been  bestowed  on  this  family  of  birds  from 
their  supposed  practice  of  breaking  nuts  by  repeated  hatchings,  or  ham- 
merings with  their  bills.  Soft-shelled  nuts,  such  as  chestnuts,  chinko- 
pins,  and  hazel-nuts,  they  may  probably  be  able  to  demolish,  though  I 
have  never  yet  seen  them  so  engaged ;  but  it  must  be  rather  in  search 
of  maggots  that  sometimes  breed  there,  than  for  the  kernel.  It  is  how- 
ever said  that  they  lay  up  a  large  store  of  nuts  for  winter ;  but  as  I 
have  never  either  found  any  of  their  magazines,  or  seen  them  collecting 
them,  I  am  inclined  to  doubt  the  fact.  From  the  great  numbers  I  have 
opened  at  all  seasons  of  the  year,  I  have  every  reason  to  believe  that 
ants,  small  seeds,  insects  and  their  larvtr,  form  their  chief  subsistence, 
such  matters  alone  being  uniformly  found  in  their  stomachs.  Neither 
can  I  sec  what  necessity  they  could  have  to  circumambulate  the  trunks 
of  trees,  with  such  indefatigable  and  restless  diligence,  while  bushels  of 
nuts  lay  scattered  rountl  their  roots.  As  to  the  circumstance  mentioned 
by  Dr.  Plott,  of  the  European  Nuthatch  "  putting  its  bill  into  a  crack 
in  the  bough  of  a  tree,  aiUl  making  such  a  violent  sound,  as  if  it  was 
rending  asunder,"  this,  if  true,  would  be  sufficient  to  distinguish  it  from 
the  species  we  have  been  just  describing,  which  possesses  no  such 
faculty.  The  female  diff'ers  little  from  the  male  in  color,  chiefly  in  the 
black  being  less  deep  on  the  head  and  wings. 


If 


Vol.  I.— 13 


SpbciksII.    SITTA  VARIA. 


BED-BELLIED  NUTHATCH. 

[Plate  II.    Fig.  4.] 

Sitta  Canadensis,  Briss.  hi.,  p.  592. — Small  Xuihatch,  Lath,  i.,  651, — Sitta  Varia, 

B.\RT.  p.  289. 

This  bird  is  much  .smaller  than  the  last,  measuring  only  four  inches 
and  a  half  in  length,  and  eight  inches  in  extent.  In  the  form  of  itn 
bill,  tongue,  nostrils,  and  in  the  color  of  the  back  and  tail-feathers,  it 
exactly  agrees  with  the  former ;  the  secondaries  are  not  relieved  with 
the  deep  black  of  the  other  species,  and  the  legs,  feet,  and  claws,  are  of 
a  dusky  greenish  yellow  ;  the  upper  ])art  of  the  head  is  black,  bounded  by 
a  stripe  of  white  passing  round  tlic  frontlet ;  a  line  of  black  passes 
through  the  eye  to  the  shoulder ;  below  this  is  anotiier  line  of  white ; 
the  chin  is  white;  the  other  under  parts  a  light  rust  color;  the  primaries 
and  whole  wings  a  du.sky  lead  color.  The  breast  and  belly  of  the  femalo 
18  not  of  so  deep  a  brown,  an!  the  top  of  the  head  less  intensely  black. 

This  species  is  migratory,  passing  from  the  north,  where  they  breed, 
to  the  southern  states  in  October,  and  returning  in  April.  Its  voice  is 
sharper,  and  its  motions  much  quicker  than  those  of  the  other,  being  so 
rapid,  restless  and  small,  as  to  make  it  a  difficult  point  to  shoot  one  of 
thorn.  When  the  two  species  are  in  the  woods  together,  they  are  easily 
distinguished  by  their  voices,  the  note  of  the  least  being  nearly  an  oc- 
tave sharper  than  that  of  its  eomj)anion,  and  repeated  more  hurriedly. 
In  other  respects  their  notes  are  alike  unmusical  and  monotonous.  Ap- 
proaching so  near  to  each  other  in  their  colors  and  general  habits,  it  is 
probable  that  their  mode  of  building,  &c.,  may  be  also  similar. 

Buffon's  Torchepot  du  Canada,  Canada  Nuthatch  of  other  European 
writers,  is  either  a  young  bird  of  the  present  species,  in  its  imperfect 
phnnnge,  or  a  different  sort  that  rarely  visits  the  United  States.  If  the 
figure  (I'l.  Eld.  623)  be  correctly  colored,  it  must  be  the  latter,  as  the 
tail  and  head  appear  of  the  same  bluish  gray  or  lead  color  as  the  back. 
Tlie  young  birds  of  this  species,  it  may  be  observed,  have  also  the  crown 
of  a  lead  color  during  the  first  season  ;  but  the  tail-feathers  are  marked 
nearly  as  those  of  the  old  ones.  Want  of  precision  in  the  figures  and 
<iescriptions  of  these  authors,  makes  it  difficult  to  determine;  but  I 
think  it  very  probable,  that  Sitta  Jamaiceims  minor,  Briss.  ;  the  Least 

(194) 


BUOWN-IIEADED    NUTHATCH. 


195 


Loggerhead  of  Brown,  Sitta  Jamaicensis,  Linn. ;  and  Sitta  Vanadenm 
of  Linn.,  Gmcl.,  and  Briss.,  are  names  that  liave  been  originally  applied 
to  different  individuals  of  the  species  wo  are  now  describing. 

This  bird  is  particularly  fond  of  the  seeds  of  pine-trees.  You  may 
traverse  many  thousand  acres  of  oak,  hickory  and  chestnut  woods,  dur- 
ing winter,  without  meeting  with  a  single  individual ;  but  no  sooner  do 
you  enter  among  the  pines  than,  if  the  air  be  still,  you  have  only  to 
listen  for  a  few  moments,  and  their  note  will  direct  you  where  to  find 
them.  They  usually  feed  in  pairs,  climbing  about  in  all  directions, 
generally  accompanied  by  the  former  species,  as  well  as  by  the  Black- 
capped  Titmouse,  Parus  atrioapillua,  and  the  Crested  Titmouse,  Parua 
bicolor,  and  not  unfrequently  by  the  small  Spotted  Woodpecker,  Picua 
pubeaceva ;  the  whole  company  proceeding  regularly  from  tree  to  tree 
through  the  woods,  like  a  corps  of  pioneers ;  while  in  a  calm  day  the 
rattling  of  their  bills,  and  the  rapid  motions  of  their  bodies,  thrown 
like  so  many  tumblers  and  rope-dancers  into  numberless  positions,  toge- 
ther with  the  peculiar  chatter  of  each,  are  altogether  very  amusing  ; 
conveying  the  idea  of  hungry  diligence,  bustle  and  activity.  Both  these 
little  birds,  from  the  great  quantity  of  destructive  insects  and  larvse 
they  destroy,  both  under  the  bark,  and  among  the  tender  buds  of  our 
fruit  and  forest  trees,  are  entitled  to,  and  truly  deserving  of,  our  esteem 
and  protection. 


■    SrECiES  III.     SITTA  PUSILLA. 

BROWN-IIEADED  NUTHATCH. 

[Plate  XY.    Fig.  2.] 

Sitta  pu.iilla.  Lath.  Ind.  Ch-n.  203. — Small  Kuthalch,  Cateshv,  Car.  i.,  22,  upper 
fijjure.— Aa  Pdite  Sitlelle  i  tite  hrvne,  Buff,  v.,  474. — Briss.  hi.,  598. — Lath. 
I.,  651,  C. 

Tins  bird  is  chiefly  an  inhabitant  of  Virginia,  and  the  southern 
states,  and  seems  particularly  fond  of  pine-trees.  I  have  never  yet 
discovered  it  either  in  Pennsylvania,  or  any  of  the  regions  north  of  this. 
Its  manners  are  very  similar  to  those  of  the  Red-bellied  Nuthatch, 
represented  in  Plate  IL  of  this  work;  but  its  notes  arc  more  shrill  and 
chirping.  Tn  the  countries  it  inhabits  it  is  a  const.ant  resident ;  and  in 
winter  associates  with  parties,  of  eight  or  ten,  of  its  own  species,  who 
hunt  busily  from  tree  to  tree,  keeping  up  a  perpetual  screeping.  It  is 
a  frequent  companion  of  the  Woodpecker  figured  beside  it ;  and  you 
rarely  find  the  one  in  the  woods  without  observing  or  hearing  the  other 


N 


mm 


196 


BROWN- HE  AD  ED    NUTHATCH. 


i"lf.ij 


,!«/ 


not  far  off.  It  climbs  equally  in  every  direction,  on  tlio  Hmallor 
l)ranclu'H,  as  well  as  on  the  body  of  the  tree,  in  search  of  its  favorite 
food,  small  insects  an<l  tlieir  larvae.  It  also  feeds  on  the  seeds  of  the 
pino-trcc.     I  have  never  met  with  its  nest.  * 

This  species  is  four  inches  and  a  quarter  lonp,  and  eight  broad ;  the 
whole  upper  part  of  the  head  and  neck,  from  the  bill  to  the  back,  and 
as  far  down  as  the  eyes,  is  light  brown,  or  pale  ferruginous,  shaded  with 
darker  touches,  with  the  exception  of  a  spot  of  white  near  the  back ; 
from  the  nostril  through  the  eyes  the  brown  is  deepest,  making  a  very 
observable  line  there ;  the  chin,  and  sides  of  the  neck,  under  the  eyes, 
are  white ;  the  wings  dusky  ;  the  coverts  and  three  secondaries  next 
the  body  a  slate  or  lead  color  ;  which  is  also  the  color  of  the  rest  of  the 
upper  parts ;  the  tail  is  nearly  even  at  the  end,  the  two  mi<ldle  feathers 
slate  color,  the  others  black,  tipped  with  slate,  and  cro.sse<l  diagonally 
with  a  streak  of  white  ;  legs  and  feet  dull  blue ;  upper  mandible  black, 
lower  blue  at  the  base ;  iris  hazel.  The  female  differs  in  having  the 
brown  on  the  head  rather  darker,  and  the  line  through  the  eye  less 
conspicuous. 

This  diminutive  bird  is  little  noticed  in  history,  and  what  little  has 
been  said  of  it,  by  Europeans,  is  not  much  to  its  credit.  It  is  charac- 
terized as  "  a  very  stupid  bird,"  which  may  easily  be  knocked  down, 
from  the  sides  of  the  tree,  with  one's  cane.  I  confess  I  found  it  a  very 
dexterous  climber  ;  and  so  rapid  and  restless  in  its  motions,  as  to  be  shot 
with  difficulty.  Almost  all  very  small  birds  seem  less  suspicious  of  man 
than  large  ones  ;  but  that  activity  and  restless  diligence  should  consti- 
tute Htupiciity,  is  rather  a  new  doctrine.  Upon  the  whole,  I  am  of 
opinion,  that  a  person  who  should  undertake  the  destruction  of  these 
birds,  at  even  a  dollar  a  head  for  all  he  knocked  down  with  his  cane, 
would  run  a  fair  chance  of  starving  by  his  profession. 


4h  «rf! 


i'l'i 


Genus  XXIV.     ALCEDO.     KINGFISHER. 
Si'iciEs.     A.  ALCYON. 

BELTED  KINGFISHER. 

[Plate  XXIII.    Jig.  l-Fsmale  ] 
Bartram,  p.  289.— TuRTON,  p.  278.* 

Tills  iH  a  general  inhabitant  of  the  banks  and  shores  of  all  our  fresh- 
water rivers  from  Hudson's  Bay  to  Mexico ;  and  is  the  only  species  of 
its  tribe  found  within  the  United  States.    This  last  circumstance,  and  its 
characteristic  appearance,   make  it   as  universally  known  here,  as  its 
elegant  little  brother,  the  common  Kingfisher  of  Europe,  is  in  Britain. 
Like  the  love-lorn  swains  of  whom  poets  tell  us,  he  delights  in  nmrmur- 
ing  streams  and  falling  waters  ;  not  however  merely  that  they  may  soothe 
his  ear,  but  for  a  gratification  somewhat  more  substantial.     Amidst  the 
roar  of  the  cataract,  or  over  the  foam  of  a  torrent,  he  sits  perched  upon 
ftn  overhanging  bough,  glancing  his  piercing  eye  in  every  direction  be- 
low for  his  scaly  prey,  which  with  a  sudden  circular  plunge  he  sweeps 
from  their  native  element,  and  swallows  in  an  instant.     His  voice,  which 
is  not   unlike   the  twirling  of  a  watchman's  rattle,  is   naturally  loud, 
harsh,  and  sudden  ;  but  is  softened  by  the  sound  of  the  brawling  streams 
and  cascades  among  which  he  generally  rambles.     He  courses  along  the 
windings  of  the   brook  or  river,  at  a  small  height  above  the  surface, 
sometimes  suspending  himself  by  the  rapid  action  of  his  wings,  like  cer- 
tain species  of  Hawks,  ready  to  pounce  on  the  fry  below  ;  now  and  then 
settling  on  '  •   old  dead  oTerhanging  limb  to  reconnoitre.    Mill-dams  are 
particularly  visited  by  this  feathered  fisher;  and  tlie  sound  of  his  pipe 
is  as  well  known  to  the  miller  as  the  rattling  of  his  own  hopper.    Rapid 
streams,  with  high  perpendicular  banks,  particularly  if  they  be  of  a  hard 
clayey  or  sandy  nature,  are  also  favorite  places  of  resort  for  this  bird ; 
not  only  because  in  such  places  the  small  fish  are  more  exposed  to  view  ; 
but  because  those  steep  and  dry  banks  are  the  chosen  situations  for  his 
nest.     Into  these  he  digs  with  bill  and  claws,  horizontally,  sometimes  to 
the  extent  of  four  or  five  feet,  at  the  distance  of  a  foot  or  two  fioin  the 
surface.     Tiie  few  materials  he  takes   in   are  not  always  placed  at  the 


*  We  lultl   tlio  followinj;  synDiiyint's  :  —  Alvedo  alvyim,  \,\ss.  Si/.t/.  eil.  10,  vol.  i., 
115.— Umei..   Si/nt.  I.,  451. — Latu.   liiU.    Orn.  257. — C'atesbv,  i.,  09. — Uukf.   PL 

(107) 


Cr   63 


i 


IJKLTKI)    KINGFISHER. 

extremity  of  tlio  hole ;  that  lie  uiid  liis  iiiato  may  have  room  to  turn 
with  coiivonii'iico.  The  cgjujH  aro  five,  pure  wliito,  and  tho  first  Ijrood 
UHiially  coiiicH  out  al)out  th(>  hcgiMiiiiig  of  Juno,  and  Mometinios  Hoonor, 
according;  to  that  part  of  the  country  wiiore  tliey  rewide.  On  the  HJioroH 
of  Kcntui'Ivy  river,  near  the  town  of  Frankfort,  I  found  the  female  n'\t- 
tiufi  early  in  April.  They  are  very  tenaeiouM  of  tiieir  haunts,  l)reeilinj» 
for  several  Huecessive  years  in  the  same  hole,  and  do  not  readily  forsake 
it,  ccn  though  it  he  visife<l.  An  intelligent  young  gentleman  informed 
me,  that  having  found  where  a  Kingfisher  Ituilt,  he  took  away  its  eggs, 
from  time  to  time,  leaving  always  one  hehinil,  until  he  had  taken  no  less 
than  eighteen  from  the  same  nest.  At  some  of  these  visits,  the  female 
heing  within,  retired  to  the  extremity  of  the  liole  while  he  withdrew  the 
egg,  and  next  day,  when  he  returned,  he  found  she  had  laid  again  as 
usual. 

The  fabulous  stories  related  by  the  ancients  of  the  nest,  manner  of 
h'ltching,  &c.,  of  the  Kingfishi'r,  are  too  trifling  to  bo  repeated  here. 
Over  the  winds  and  the  waves  the  humble  Kingfishers  of  our  days,  at 
least  the  speeies  now  before  us,  have  no  control.  Its  nest  is  neither  con- 
8tructe<l  of  gluo  nor  Csh-boncs ;  but  of  loose  grass  and  a  few  feathers. 
It  is  not  thrown  on  the  surface  of  the  water  to  float  about,  with  its  pro- 
prietor, at  random  ;  but  snugly  seeureil  from  the  winds  and  the  weather 
in  the  recesses  of  the  earth  ;  neither  is  its  head  or  its  feathers  believed, 
even  by  the  most  illiterate  of  our  clowns  and  seamen,  to  bo  a  charm  for 
love,  a  protection  against  witchcraft,  or  a  security  for  fair  weather.  It 
is  neither  venerated  like  those  of  the  Society  Isles,  nor  dreaded  like 
those  of  some  other  countries ;  but  is  considered  merely  as  a  bir<l  that 
feeds  on  fish ;  is  generally  fat ;  relished  by  some  as  good  eating ;  and  is 
now  and  then  seen  exposed  for  sale  in  our  markets. 

Though  the  Kingfisher  generally  remains  with  us,  in  Pennsylvania, 
until  the  connnencement  of  cold  weather,  it  is  seldom  seen  here  in 
winter  ;  but  returns  to  us  early  in  April.  In  North  and  South  Carolina, 
I  observed  numbers  of  these  binls  in  the  months  of  February  and 
March.  I  also  freijuently  noticed  them  on  the  shores  of  the  Ohio,  in 
February,  as  high  uj)  as  the  mouth  of  the  Muskingum. 

I  suspect  this  bird  to  be  a  native  of  the  Bahama  Islands,  as  well  as 
of  our  continent.  In  passitig  betwe(>n  these  isles  and  the  Florida  shore, 
in  the  month  of  July,  a  Kingfisher  flew  several  times  round  our  ship, 
and  afterwards  shot  off  to  the  south. 

The  length  of  this  species  is  twelve  inches  and  a  half,  extent  twenty ; 
back  and  whole  npj)er  parts  a  light  bluish  slate  color  ;  round  the  neck 
is  a  collar  of  pure  white,  which  reaches  before  to  the  chin  ;  bead  large, 
crested,  the  feathers  long  and  narrow,  black  in  the  centre,  and  generally 
erect;  the  shafts  of  all  the  feathers,  except  the  white  plumage,  are 
black;    bcdiy  jind  vent  white;   sides  under. the  wings  variegated  with 


HIIOWN    CUKKl'KR. 


199 


Muo;  round  the  upper  part  of  tlio  breaHt  juihhch  a  band  of  blue,  intor- 
HpcrHed  with  Moinu  lij^bt  brown  feutherH ;  before  the  eye  i»  a  HUiall  npot 
of  white,  and  another  immediately  below  it ;  the  bill  is  three  inehcs 
lon^,  from  the  point  to  the  ulit  of  the  mouth,  Htrong,  sharp  pointed, 
and  black,  exe('|)t  near  the  biiHe  of  the  lower  mandible,  and  at  the  tip, 
where  it  i.s  of  a  horn  eolor ;  primarieH,  and  interior  webs  of  tlie  .seconda- 
ries, black,  spotted  with  white;  the  interior  vanes  of  the  tail  feathers 
elegantly  spotted  with  white  on  a  jet  black  ground;  lower  side  light 
colored;  exterior  vanes  blue;  wing-(!Overts  and  secontlaries  muikiil 
with  small  specks  of  white;  legs  extremely  short;  when  the  bird 
perches  it  generally  rests  on  the  lower  side  of  the  second  joint,  which 
is  thereby  thick  and  callous ;  claws  stout  and  black  ;  whole  leg  of  a 
dirty  yellowish  color  ;  above  the  knee  bare  of  featiiers  for  half  an  inch  ; 
the  two  exterior  toes  united  together  for  nearly  their  whole  length. 

The  fenial'j  is  sprinkled  all  over  with  specks  of  white ;  the  band  of 
blue  around  the  upper  part  of  the  breast  is  nearly  half  reddish  brown  ; 
and  a  little  below  this  passes  a  band  of  briglit  reddish  ba}',  spreading 
on  each  side  under  the  wings.  The  blue  and  rufous  feathers  on  the 
breast  are  strong  like  scales.  The  head  is  also  of  a  much  darker  blue 
than  the  back  ;  and  the  white  feathers  on  the  chin  and  throat  of  an 
exquisite  fine  glossy  texture,  like  the  most  beautiful  satin. 


;    i 


Genus  XXIX.    CERTIIIA.    CREEPER. 
Species  I.     C.  FAMlLlMilS. 

BROWN    CREEPER. 

[Plate  VIII.    Fig.  1,  Male.] 
JAtlle  Broirn  varUijuUd  Creeper,  Uartkax,  289.* 

TlITS  bird  agrees  so  nearly  with  the  common  European  Creeper 
{Certhia  f(imil{arti<),  that  I  have  little  doubt  of  their  being  one  and  the 
same  species.  I  have  examined,  at  different  times,  great  numbers  of 
these  birds,  and  have  endeavored  to  make  a  correct  drawing  of  the 
male,  that  Europeans  and  others  may  judge  for  themselves ;  and  the 
excellent  artist  to  whom  the  plate  was  intrusted  has  done  his  part  so 
well  in  the  engraving,  as  to  render  the  figure  a  p"rfect  resemblance  of 
the  living  original. 


*  Wo  odd  the  following?  synonymes:  Certhia  familiar  is,  Linn.  ."?//«/.  ed.  )0,  vol. 
I.,  118— GuEi,.  tiyst.  I.,  4tjy. — Latu.  Ind.  Orn.  2SU. — />«  Griinpereau,  Bijkf.  PI 
Enl.  681. 


W— p 


•  m 


200 


BROWN    CREEPER. 


The  Brown  Creeper  is  an  extremely  active  and  restless  little  bird. 
In  winter  it  associates  with  the  small  Spotted  Woodpecker,  Nuthatch, 
Titmouse,  &c.,  and  often  follows  in  their  rear,  gleaning  up  those  insects 
which  their  more  powerful  bills  had  alarmed  and  expose<l ;  for  its  own 
slender  incurvated  bill  seems  unequal  to  the  task  of  penetrating  into 
even  the  decayed  wood,  though  it  may  into  holes  and  behind  scales  of 
the  bark.  Of  the  Titmouse  there  are  generally  present  the  individuals 
of  a  whole  family,  and  seldom  more  than  one  or  two  of  the  others.  As 
the  party  advances  through  the  woods,  from  tree  to  tree,  our  little 
gleaner  seems  to  observe  a  good  deal  of  regularity  in  his  proceedings  ; 
for  I  have  almost  always  observed  that  ho  alights  on  the  body  near  the 
root  of  the  tree,  and  directs  his  course  with  great  nimblencss  upwards 
to  the  higher  branches,  sometimes  spirally,  often  in  a  direct  line,  moving 
rapidly  and  uniformly  .liong,  with  his  tail  bent  to  the  tree,  and  not  in 
the  hopping  manner  of  the  "\Voodj)cckcr,  whom  he  far  surpasses  in 
dexterity  of  climbing,  running  along  the  lower  side  of  the  horizontal 
branches  with  surprising  ease.  If  any  person  be  near  when  he  alights, 
he  is  sure  to  keep  the  opposite  side  of  the  tree,  moving  round  as  he 
moves,  so  as  to  prevent  him  from  getting  more  than  a  transieit  glimpse 
of  him.  The  best  method  of  outwitting  him,  if  you  are  alone,  is,  as 
soon  as  he  alights  and  disappears  behind  the  trunk,  take  your  stand 
behind  an  adjoining  one,  and  keep  a  sharp  lookout  twenty  or  thirty 
feet  up  the  body  of  the  tree  he  is  upon,  for  he  generally  mounts  very 
regularly  to  a  considerable  height,  exaniiiiing  the  whole  way  as  he 
advances.  In  a  minute  or  two,  hearing  all  still,  he  will  make  his 
appearance  on  one  side  or  other  of  the  tree,  and  give  yon  an  opportu- 
nity of  observing  him. 

These  birds  are  distributed  over  the  whole  Uniteil  States ;  but  arc 
most  numerous  in  the  Western  and  Northern  States,  and  particularly  so 
in  the  depth  of  the  forests,  and  in  t:.icts  of  large  timbered  woods,  where 
they  usually  breed;  vi;  iting  the  thicker  settled  parts  of  the  country  in 
fall  and  winter.  They  are  more  alnmdant  in  the  flat  woods  of  the 
lorter  district  of  New  Jersey  than  in  Pennsylvania;  and  are  frequently 
found  among  the  pines.  Though  their  customary  fooil  appears  to  con- 
sist of  tho.se  insects  of  the  coleopterou.s  class,  yet  I  have  frequently 
found  in  their  stomachs  the  seeds  of  the  pine-tree,  and  fragments  of  a 
species  of  fungus  that  vegetates  in  old  wood,  with  generally  a  large 
])roportion  of  gravel.  There  seems  t«>  be  scarcely  any  difference 
between  the  colors  and  markings  of  the  male  and  female.  In  the  month 
of  March  I  opened  eleven  of  these  birds,  among  whom  were  several 
females,  as  a[)peared  by  the  clusters  of  minute  eggs  with  which  tlu;ii 
ovaries  were  filled,  ami  also  several  well-marked  males,  and,  on  the 
most  careful  comparison  of  their  jilunnige,  I  could  find  little  or  no  dif- 
ference ;  the  colors  indeed  were  rather  more  vivid  and  intense  in  .some 


^1%,*^ 


BROWN    CREEPER, 


201 


than  in  others ;  hut  sometimes  this  superiority  belonged  to  a  male, 
sometimes  to  a  female,  and  appeared  to  be  entirely  owing  to  difference 
in  age.  I  found,  however,  a  remarkable  and  very  striking  difference 
in  their  sizes ;  some  were  considerably  larger,  and  had  the  bill  at  least 
one-third  longer  and  stronger  than  the  others,  and  these  I  uniformly 
found  to  be  males.  I  also  received  two  of  these  birds  from  the  country 
bordering  on  the  Cayuga  lake,  in  New  York  state,  from  a  person  who 
killed  them  from  the  tree  in  which  they  had  their  nest.  The  male  of 
this  pair  had  the  bill  of  the  same  extraordinary  size  with  several  others 
I  had  examined  before,  the  plumage  in  every  respect  the  same.  Other 
males,  indeed,  were  found  at  the  same  time  of  the  usual  size.  Whether 
this  be  only  an  accidental  variety,  or  whether  the  male,  when  full 
grown,  be  naturally  so  much  larger  than  the  female  (as  is  the  case  with 
many  birds),  and  takes  several  years  in  arriving  at  his  full  size,  I  can- 
not positively  determine,  though  I  think  the  lattjr  most  probable. 

The  Brown  Creeper  builds  his  nest  in  the  hollow  trunk  or  branch  of  a 
tree,  where  tlie  tree  has  been  shivered,  or  a  limb  broken  off,  or  where 
squirrels  or  Woodpockers  have  wrought  out  an  entrance :  for  nature  has 
not  provided  liim  with  the  means  of  excavating  one  for  himself.  I  have 
known  the  female  begin  to  lay  by  the  seventeenth  of  April.  The  eggs 
are  usually  seven,  of  a  dull  cinereous,  marked  with  small  dots  of  reddish 
yellow,  and  streaks  of  dark  brown.  Tlie  young  come  forth  with  great 
caution,  creeping  about  long  before  they  venture  on  wing.  From  the 
early  season  at  which  they  begin  to  build,  I  have  no  doubts  of  their 
raising  two  broods  during  summer,  as  I  have  seen  the  old  ones  entering 
holes  late  in  July. 

The  length  of  this  bird  is  five  inches,  and  nearly  seven  from  the 
extremity  of  one  wing  to  that  of  the  other ;  the  upper  part  of  the  head 
is  of  a  deep  brownish  black ;  the  back  brown,  and  both  streaked  with 
white,  the  plumage  of  the  latter  being  of  a  loose  texture,  with  its 
filaments  hot  adhering  ;  th«  white  is  in  the  centre  of  every  feather,  and 
is  skirtci  with  brown;  lower  part  of  the  back,  rump,  and  tail-coverts, 
rusty  brown,  the  last  minute!}  tipped  with  whitish  ;  the  tail  is  as  long 
as  the  body,  of  a  light  drab  colcr,  with  the  inner  webs  dusky,  and  con- 
sists of  twelve  quills  each  sloping  off  and  tapering  to  a  point  in  the 
manner  of  the  Woodpeckers,  but  proportionably  weaker  in  the  shafts ; 
in. many  specimens  the  tail  was  vi-ry  slightly  marked  with  transverse 
undulating  waves  of  dusky,  scarce  observable ;  the  two  middle  feathers 
the  longest,  the  others  on  each  side  shortening  by  one-sixth  of  an  inch 
to  the  outer  one  ;  the  wing  consists  of  nineteen  feathers,  the  first  an 
inch  long,  the  fourth  ai'.l  fifth  the  longest,  of  a  deep  brownish  black, 
and  crossed  about  its  middle  with  a  curving  band  of  rufous  white,  a 
(juarter  of  an  inch  "i  breadth,  marking  ten  of  the  qui'ls ;  below  thia 
the  quills  are  exteriorly  edged  to  within  a  little  of  their  tips  with  rufous 


202 


BLACK    AND    WHITE    CREEPER. 


white,  and  tipped  with  white ;  the  three  secondaries  next  the  body  are 
dusky  white  on  their  inner  webs,  tipped  ou  the  exterior  margin  with 
white,  and  above  that  alternately  streaked  laterally  with  black  and  dull 
white;  the  greater  and  lesser  wing-coverts  are  exteriorly  tipped  with 
white,  the  upper  part  of  the  exterior  edges  of  the  former  rufous  white ; 
the  line  over  the  eye  and  whole  lower  parts  are  white,  a  little  brownish 
toward  the  vent,  but  on  the  chin  and  throat  pure,  silky  and  glistening ; 
the  white  curves  inwards  about  the  middle  of  the  neck  ;  the  bill  is  half 
an  inch  long,  slender,  compressed  sidewise,  bonding  downwards,  tapering 
to  a  point,  dusky  above  and  white  below ;  the  nostrils  are  oblong,  half 
covered  with  a  convex  membrane,  and  without  hairs  or  small  feathers; 
the  inside  of  the  mouth  is  reddish  ;  the  tongue  tapering  gradually  to  a 
point,  and  horny  towards  tiie  tip  ;  the  eye  is  dark  hazel ;  the  legs  and 
feet  a  dirty  clay  color ;  the  toes  placed  tliree  before  and  one  behind, 
the  two  outer  ones  connected  with  the  middle  one  to  the  first  joint ;  the 
claws  rather  paler,  large,  almost  semicircular,  and  extremely  sharp 
pointed  ;  the  hind  claw  the  largest.  The  figure  in  the  plate  repro'-.ents  a 
male  of  the  usual  size  in  its  exact  proportions,  and,  but  for  the  satisfac- 
tion of  foreigners,  might  have  rendered  the  wiiole  of  this  prolix 
description  unnecessary. 


Species  II.     CEUTHIA  MACUl.ATA* 

BLACK  AND  WHITE  CREEPER. 

[Plate  XIX.    Fig.  3.] 

Edwards,  pi.  300.— jrAiVc  imll  W,irUcr,Arct.  Xuol.  402,  No.  2<j:i.—Lefguier  tarig, 
IUkf.  V,  ;iur».— Lath,  ii.,  4>iS. — Tirto.n,  i.,  p.  003. 

This  nimble  and  expert  little  species  sehlom  perches  on  the  small 
twigs;  but  cireuiiianibulates  the  trunk,  and  larger  branches,  iu  quest 
of  ants  and  other  inseits,  with  admirable  dexterity.  It  arrives  in 
Penn.xyhania,  from  the  .soutii,  about  the  twentieth  of  April,  the  young 
begin  to  fly  early  in  July  ;  and  the  whole  tribe  f,  andon  the  eouiitrv  about 
the  beginning  of  October.  Slnane  de.scribes  tnis  bird  as  an  inhabitant 
of  the  West  India  Islands,  where  it  piobably  winters.  It  was  first 
figured  by  Edwanls  from  a  dried  skin  sent  him  by  Mr.  William  HartrsHU, 
who  gave  it  its  jiresent  name.  Succeeding  naturalists  have  cla.'ised  it 
with  the  warblers;  a  mistake  which  I  have  endeavored  to  rectify. 

The  genus  of  Creej)ers  comprehends  about  thirty  differ  iit  species, 
many  of  which  iire  richly  adorned  with  gorgeous  plumage;    but,  like 


*  Linn!CU8  placed  thlH  binl  in  Ium  gnniiH  .Volacilla,  iiiui   Latliam  iirniii;:(il  it  ia 
Syltia.     It  does  nut  I'-'on^i  to  tlie  genu*  Cerlhia  as  at  jirusoiit  rt'strieted. 


GREAT    CAROLINA    WREN. 


doa 


their  congenial  tribe  the  Woodpeckers,  few  of  them  excel  in  song ;  theii 
tongues  seem  better  calculated  for  extracting  noxious  insects  from  the 
bark  of  trees,  than  for  trilling  out  sprightly  airs ;  as  the  hardenec' 
hands  of  the  hus^bandman  are  better  suited  for  clearing  the  forest  or 
guiding  the  plough,  than  dancing  among  the  keys  of  a  forte-piano. 
Which  of  the  two  is  the  most  honorable  and  useful  employment 
is  not  difficult  to  determine.  Let  the  farmer,  therefore,  respect  this 
little  bird  for  its  useful  qualities,  in  clearing  his  fruit  and  forest  trees 
from  destructive  insects;  tliough  it  cannot  serenade  him  with  its  song. 

Tiie  length  of  this  species  is  five  inches  and  a  liulf,  extent  seven  and 
a  half;  crown  white,  bordered  on  each  side  with  a  band  of  bhick,  which 
is  again  bounded  by  a  line  of  white  passing  over  each  eye,  below  this  is 
a  large  spot  of  black  covering  the  ear  feathers ;  chin  and  throat  black ; 
wings  the  same,  crossed  transversely  by  two  bars  of  wliite ;  breast  and 
back  streaked  with  black  and  white ;  tail,  upper  and  also  under  coverts, 
black,  edged  and  bordered  with  white ;  belly  white ;  legs  and  feet  dirty 
yellow  ;  hind  claw  the  longest,  and  all  very  sharp  pointed  ;  bill  a  little 
compressed  sidewise,  slightly  curved,  black  above,  paler  below ;  tongue 
long,  fine-pointed,  and  horny  at  the  extremity.  These  last  circum- 
stances, joined  to  its  manners,  characterize  it,  decisively,  as  a  creeper. 

The  female  and  young  birds  of  the  first  year  want  the  black  on  the 
throat,  having  that  part  of  a  grayish  white. 


M 


Species  III.     CERTIIIA  CAROLINIANA* 

GREAT  CAROLINA  WREN. 

[Plate  XII.    Fig.  S.] 

Ia  Roitdet  de  la  hmiiiane.  PL  Enl.  730,  Y\^.  1. — Lath.  Si/n.  vii.,  p.  507,  var.  B. 
— Le  TrtK/lddi/lfs  dc  la  Lnuisiane,  Bi  kk.  Ois.  v.,  j).  301. — Motaeilla  CaroUniana 
(regulim  tnagiins),  Bartuam,  p.  2*Jl.t 

This  is  another  of  those  equivocal  species  that  fo  often  occur  to  puz- 
zle the  naturalist.  Th?  general  appearance  of  this  bird  is  such,  tliat  the 
mo.-it  illiterate  would  at  first  sight  call  it  a  Wnn ;  but  the  coinnion 
Wren  of  Ein-Dpe,  ami  the  Winter  Wren  of  the  United  States,  are  both 
warblers,  juilging  them  according  to  the  simple  principle  of  Liniifcus. 
The   present   species,  however,  and   the  following  (the  Marsh  Wren), 


*  This  aiul  till!  two  iuUowini;  s|i('<'ii's  were  pliiood  liy  Iiiitliiim  in  the  Kcmis  Si/hua, 
wIicMicn  tlii'v  liiivo  tiocii  rcmovoil  liy  Wilson,  witlioiit,  ii|i|iiireiitly,  siiHiciciit  reason. 

f  W<>  11(1(1  th(>  followiii)!  syiionynips:  Motwilla  lioj/litdi/lcs,  var.  y  (imei,.  vol.  i.,  p. 
•J'J4. — Sylcia  liidoviiiana,  Lath.  Index  Orn.  sp.  liiO. 


■'%  I 


f  I 


204 


GREAT    CAROLINA    WREN. 


I 

■■'i 

■■  ^ 

1 

*: 

i 

Sffi  |';|| 

■    h'^ 

|{Si .   ''\ 

m'-V' 

il  ''  "' ' 

wM 

.--; 

i^i-'!l^ 

i 

though  possessing  great  family  likeness  to  those  above  nieiitionod,  are 
decisively  Creepers,  if  tha  bill,  the  tongue,  nostrils  and  claws  are  to  be 
the  criteria  by  which  we  are  to  class  them. 

The  color  of  the  plumage  of  birds  is  but  an  uncertain  and  inconstant 
guide ;  and  though  in  some  cases  it  serves  to  furnish  a  trivial  or  specific 
appellation,  yet  can  never  lead  us  to  the  gcMieric  one.  I  have,  there- 
fore, notwithstanding  the  general  appearance  of  these  birds,  and  the 
practice  of  former  ornithologists,  removeil  them  to  the  genus  C'erthia, 
from  that  of  Motacilla,  where  they  have  hitherto  been  placed. 

Tliis  bird  is  frequently  seen,  early  in  May,  along  the  shores  of  tlie 
Delaware,  and  other  streams  that   fall   into  it  on  both  sides,  thirty  or 
forty  miles  below   Philadelphia ;  but   is   ratiier  rare  in   Pennsylvania. 
This  circumstance   is  a  little  extraordinary  ;  since,  from   its  size,  and 
stout    make,  it  would   seem   more  capable  of  braving   the  rigors  of  a 
northern  climate  than  any  of  the  otiiers.     It  can,  however,  scarcely  bo 
called  migratory.      In  the  depth  of  winter  I  found  it  numerous  in  Vir- 
ginia along  the  shores  and  banks  of  the  James  river  and  its  tributary 
streams,  and  thence  as  far  south  as  Savannah.     I  also  observed  it  on 
the  banks  of  the  Ogechee ;  it  seemed  to  be  particularly  attached  to  the 
borders  of  cypress  swamps,  deep  hollows,  among  piles  of  old  decaying 
timber,  and  by  rivers  and  snuill  creeks.     It  has  all  the  restless  jerking 
uninners  of  the  Wrens,  skipping  about  with  great  nimbleness,  hopping 
into  caves,  and  disappearing  into  holes  and  crevices  like  a  rat,  for  seve- 
ral minutes,  and  then  reappearing  in  another  ([uarter.      It  occasionally 
utters  a  loud,  strong,  and  singular  twitter,  resenil)ling  the  wonl   chirr- 
rup,  dwelling  long  and  strongly  on  the  first  syllable ;  and  so  loud  that 
I  at  first  mistook  it  for  the  Red-bird,  L.  cardoHtU».     It  has  also  another 
chant,  rather   more   musical,  like  '*  Sweet    WiUimn,    Sweet    William," 
umch  softer  than  the  former.     Tliough  I  cannot  positively  say,  from  my 
own  observations,   that  it  builds  in  Pennsylvania,  and  have  never  yet 
been  so  fortunate  as  to  find  its  nest;  yet,  from  the  circumstance  of  hav- 
ing several  times  observed  it  within  a  (juarter  of  a  mile  of  the  Scliuyl- 
KJll,  in  the  niontli ./.'  August,  I  hav«'  no  doulit  that  some  few  breed  here, 
and  think  it  highly  probable  that  Pennsylvania  and  New  York  ni.iy  be 
the  northern   boundaries  of  their  visits,  having  sought   for  it   in  vain 
among  the  states  of  New  England.      Its  food  appears  to  consist  of  those 
insects  and  their  larvie  that  fri'ijuent  low  damp  caves,  piles  of  dead  tim- 
ber, old  roots,  {)rojecting  banks  of  creeks,  &c.,  ke.      It  certainly  pos- 
sesses the  faculty  of  seeing  in  the  dark   better  than  day  birds   usually 
do  ;  for  I  have  obstMv>'il  it  exploring  the  recesses  of  caves,  where  a  good 
acute  eye  must  have  been  nei-cssary  to  enable  it  to  distinguish  its  prey. 
In  the  Southern  States,  as  well  as  in  Louisiana,  this  species  is  gener- 
ally rc«/(/c/(/ ;  though  in  summer  they  are  more  nuiiierous,  and  are  found 
rather  farther  north  than  in  winter.      In  this  last  season  their  chirrup- 


GREAT    CAROLINA    WREN. 


205 


garde 


after  daybreak,  and  along  the 


ing  is  frequently  heart    in  gardens  soon  alter  daybrcaK,  ant 
borders  of  the  great  rivers  of  the  Southern  States,  not  far  from  the  sea- 
coast. 

The  Great  Wren  of  Carolina  is  five  inehes  and  a  quarter  long,  and 
seven  broad  ;  the  whole  upper  parts  arc  reddish  brown,  the  wings  and 
tail  being  barred  with  black  ;  a  streak  of  yellowish  white  runs  from  the 
nostril  over  the  eye,  down  the  side  of  the  neck,  nearly  to  the  back ; 
below  that  a  streak  of  reddish  brown  extends  from  the  posterior  part  of 
tlie  eye  to  the  shoulder ;  the  chin  is  yilowish  white ;  the  breast,  sides 
and  belly  a  light  rust  color,  or  reddish  buff;  vent  featherr;  white,  neatly 
barred  with  black ;  in  the  female  plain  ;  wing  coverts  minutely  tipped 
with  white ;  legs  and  feet  flesh  colored,  and  very  strong ;  bill  throe- 
quarters  of  an  inch  long,  strong,  a  little  bent,  grooved  and  pointed,  the 
upper  mandible  bluish  black,  lower  light  blue ;  nostrils  oval,  partly 
covered  with  a  prominent  convex  mcml)rane ;  tongue  pointed  and  slen- 
der ;  eyes  hazel ;  tail  cuneiform,  the  tw*o  exterior  feathers  on  each  side 
three  quarters  of  an  inch  shorter,  whitish  on  their  exterior  edges,  and 
touched  with  deeper  black  ;  the  same  may  be  said  of  the  three  outer 
primaries.  The  female  wants  the  white  on  the  wing  coverts ;  but  differs 
little  in  color  from  thu  male. 

In  this  species  I  have  observed  a  circumstance  common  to  the  House 
and  Winter  Wren,  but  which  is  not  found  in  the  Marsh  Wren  ;  the 
feathers  of  the  lower  part  of  the  back,  when  parted  by  the  hand,  or 
breath,  appear  spotted  with  white,  being  at  bottom  deep  ash,  reddish 
brown  at  the  surface,  and  each  feather  with  a  spot  of  white  between 
these  two  colors.  This,  however,  cannot  bo  perceived  without  parting 
the  feathers. 


M 


r  i| 


m',\:^i 


'it\4%:m     ■":.f 


Species  IV.     CERTHIA  PALUSTRIS. 

MARSH    WREN. 

[Plate  XII.    Fig.  4.] 
MotaciUa  pahistrig  [reynlus  minor),  Bartram,  p.  291. 

This  obscure  but  spirited  little  spccica  has  been  almost  overlooked 
by  the  naturalists  of  Europe,  as  well  as  by  those  of  its  own  country. 
The  singular  attitude  in  which  it  is  represented  will  be  recognisetl  by 
those  acquainted  with  its  manners,  as  one  of  its  most  common  and 
favorite  ones,  while  skipping  through  among  the  reeds  and  rushes.  The 
Marsh  Wren  arrives  in  Pennsyhania  about  the  midille  of  May,  or  aa 
soon  as  the  reeds  and  a  species  of  Nymphea,  usually  called  splatter- 
docks,  which  grow  in  great  luxuriance  along  the  tide  water  of  our 
rivers,  are  sufficiently  high  to  shelter  it.  To  such  places  it  almost 
wholly  limits  its  excursions,  seldom  venturing  far  from  the  river.  Its 
food  consists  of  flying  insects,  ami  their  larvic,  and  a  species  of  green 
grasshoj)pers  that  inhabit  the  reeds.  As  to  its  notes  it  would  be  mere 
burlesque  to  call  them  by  the  name  of  song.  Standing  on  the  ree<ly 
borders  of  the  Schuylkill  or  Delaware,  in  the  month  of  June,  you  hear 
a  low  crackling  sound,  something  similar  to  that  produced  by  air  bub- 
bles forcing  their  way  through  nuid  or  boggy  ground  when  trod  upon  ; 
this  is  the  iximj  of  the  Marsh  Wren.  But  as  among  the  hunian  race  it 
is  not  given  to  one  man  to  excel  in  everything,  and  yet  each,  perhaps, 
has  something  peculiarly  his  own  ;  so  among  birds  we  find  a  like  dis- 
tribution of  talents  and  peculiarities.  The  little  bird  now  before  us, 
if  deficient  and  contemptilde  in  singing,  excels  in  the  art  of  (/ex/*///,  and 
constructs  a  nest,  which,  in  durability,  warmth  and  convenience,  is 
scarcely  inferior  to  one,  and  far  superior  to  many,  of  its  more  musical 
brethren.  This  is  formed  outwardly  of  wet  ruslies  niixeil  with  mud, 
well  intertwisted,  and  fashioned  into  the  form  of  a  cocoa  nut.  A  small 
hole  is  left  two-thirds  up,  for  entrance,  the  upper  edge  of  which  projects 
like  a  pent  house  over  the  lower,  to  prevent  the  admission  of  rain.  The 
inside  is  lined  with  fine  soft  grass,  and  sometimes  feuthers ;  and  the 
outside,  when  hardeneil  bv  the  sun,  resists  everv  kind  of  weather. 
Th>  nest  is  generally  suspemled  among  the  reeds,  above  the  reach  of 
t!  .ighest  tides,  and  is  tied  so  fa.st  in  every  part  to  the  surrounding 
rfe.'  i     as  to  bid  defiance  to  the  winds  and  the  waves.     Tlie  eggs  are 

(20(1) 


• 


i. 


tt^'^jinr  3 


MARSH    WREN. 


207 


usually  six,  of  a  dark  fawn  color,  and  very  small.  The  young  leave 
the  nest  about  the  twentieth  of  June,  and  they  generally  have  a  second 
brood  in  the  same  season. 

The  size,  general  color,  and  habit  of  this  bird  of  erecting  its  tail, 
gives  it,  to  a  superficial  observer,  something  of  the  appearance  of  the 
common  House  Wren,  represented  in  Plate  VIII.  of  this  work ;  and 
Btill  more  that  of  the  Winter  Wren,  figured  in  the  same  plate;  but 
with  the  former  of  those  it  never  associates ;  and  the  latter  has  left  us 
some  time  before  the  Marsh  Wren  makes  his  appearance.  About  the 
middle  of  August  they  begin  to  go  off,  and  on  the  first  of  September 
very  few  of  them  are  to  be  seen.  IIow  far  north  the  migrations  of  this 
species  extend  I  am  unable  to  say ;  none  of  them  to  my  knowledge 
winter  in  Georgia,  or  any  of  the  Southern  States. 

The  Marsh  Wren  is  five  inches  long,  and  six  in  extent ;  the  whole 
upper  parts  are  dark  brown,  except  the  upper  part  of  the  head,  back 
of  the  neck,  and  middle  of  the  back,  which  are  black,  the  two  last 
streaked  with  white;  the  tail  is  short,  rounded,  and  barred  with  black; 
wings  slightly  barred ;  a  broad  strip  of  white  passes  over  the  eye  half 
way  down  the  neck  ;  the  sides  of  the  neck  are  also  mottled  with  touches 
of  a  light  clay  color  on  a  whitish  ground;  whole  under  parts  pure 
silvery  white,  except  the  vent,  which  is  tinged  with  brown ;  the  legs  are 
light  brown  ;  the  l.ind  claw  large,  semicircular,  and  very  sharp ;  bill 
slen<ler,  slightly  bent ;  nostrils  prominent ;  tongue  narrow,  very  taper- 
ing, sharp  pointed,  and  horny  at  the  extremity ;  eye  hazel.  The 
female  almost  exactly  resembles  the  male  in  plumage. 

From  the  above  description,  and  a  view  of  the  figure,  the  naturalist 
will  perceive  that  this  species  is  truly  a  Certhia  or  Creeper ;  and  indeed 
its  habits  confirm  this,  as  it  is  continually  climbing  along  the  stalks  of 
reeds  and  other  ui^uatic  plants,  in  search  of  insects. 


\\ 


8SB 


if^^W 


Genus  XXX.     TROOIITLUS.     HUMMING  BIRD. 
Species.     T.  COLVBRIS. 

HUMMING    BIRD. 

[Plate  X.    Figs.  3,  4.] 

TVochHun  I'o^Khri.i.  Linn.  Si/st.  i.,  p.  IHI,  No.  12. — L'Oisfan  mnuche  A  (jorrje  rougt 
tie  la  Caroliui;  Bkiss.  ^>;7i.  in.,  p.  7lt'i.  No.  1.3,  t.  .'!('>.  fi;;.  G. — Le  liuhin,  Mvrr. 
0%».  VI.,  p.  13. — Ilummimi  Jiiid,  Catesb.  Car.  i.,  65. — ]{td-lliroated  Humming 
Bird,  Enw.  i.,  38,  male  mid  fcinak.—LxTn.  Syn.  ii.,  769,  No.  .'?5. 

Natuhk  in  every  departmoiit  of  her  work.s  .ooem.s  to  delight  in 
variety;  and  the  present  subject  of  our  history  is  ahnost  as  singular  for 
its  minutene.ss,  beauty,  want  of  song  and  manner  of  feeding,  as  the 
Mocking-bird  is  for  unrivalled  excellence  of  notes,  and  plainne.><8  of 
plumage.  Though  this  interesting  and  beautiful  genus  of  birds  com- 
prehends upwards  of  seventy  species,  all  of  which,  with  a  very  few 
exceptions,  arc  natives  of  America  and  its  adjacent  i.sland.s,  it  is  yet 
singular,  that  the  species  now  before  us  should  be  the  only  one  of  its 
tribe  that  ever  visits  the  territory  of  tlie  United  States. 

According  to  the  observations  of  my  friend  Mr.  Abbot,  of  Savannah, 
in  Georgia,  who  has  been  engaged  these  thirty  years  in  collecting  and 
drawing  subjects  of  natural  history  in  that  part  of  the  country,  the 
Humming  Bird  makes  its  first  appearance  there,  from  the  south,  about 
the  twenty-thinl  of  March  ;  two  weeks  earlier  tiian  it  does  in  the  county 
of  Burke,  sixty  miles  higher  up  the  country  towards  the  interior;  and 
at  least  five  weeks  sooner  than  it  reaches  this  part  of  Penn.^ylvania. 
As  it  pa,sses  on  to  the  northward  as  far  as  tlie  interior  of  Canada,  where 
it  is  seen  in  great  numbers,*  the  wonder  is  e.xeited  how  so  feebly  con- 
structed and  delicate  a  little  creature  can  make  its  way  over  such 
extensive  regions  of  lakes  and  forests,  among  so  many  enemies,  all  its 
superiors  in  strength  ami  ni:i  :tiitude.  But  its  very  7iii}U(ti)ii'i<K,  the 
rapidity  of  its  lliglit,  which  ;i,iii(ist  eludes  the  eye,  and  that  admirable 
instinct,  reason,  or  whatever  else  it  may  be  called,  and  daring  courage 
which  Heaven  has  implanted  in  its  bosom,  are  its  guides  and  protectors. 
In  these  we  may  also  perceive  the  reason,  why  an  all-wi.-^e  Providence 
ha^  ma<le  this  little  hero  an  exception   to  a  rule  which  prevails  alinosi 


*  Mi    M'Ki'nzift  speaks  of  80ping  a  "  lioaiitifiil  iliitiiniin};  Bird''  near  llic  bond  of 
the  L'tijigali  or  I'oace  river,  in  lat.  .')4° ;  but  liiw  not  particularized  the  f<]n'eie8. 

(•JOS) 


|[UMMIN(J     HI  HI). 


209 


universally  throuffli  naturn,  viz.,  that  tlio  Hnuillcst  Hpccios  of  a  tribo  aro 
Iho  most  prolific.  The  Ka;ilc  lays  one,  .soinotiino.s  two,  ojjjis  ;  the  Crow 
five;  the  TitinouHc  Hcvcri  or  i-ij^ht ;  the  .small  Kinopeaii  Wren  fifteen; 
the  Ilumiriiiijr-liird  two:  and  yet  this  latter  is  abundantly  more  numer- 
ous in  America  than  the  Wren  is  in  lOurope^ 

About  the  twenty-fifth  of  April,  the  llummnf;  Bird  usually  arrives  in 
Pcniisylvan.ia ;  and  about  the  tenth  of  May  begins  to  build  its  nest. 
This  is  generally  fixed  on  the  upper  sido  of  a  horizontal  braneh,  not 
among  the  twigs,  but  on  the  body  of  the  branch  itself.  Yet  I  have 
known  instances  where  it  was  attached  by  the  side  to  an  old  nios^-grown 
trunk;  and  others  where  it  was  fastened  on  a  strong  rani:  stalk,  or 
weed,  in  the  garden  ;  but  these  cases  are  rare.  In  the  woods  it  very 
often  chooses  a  white  oak  safding  to  build  on  ;  and  in  tlie  orchard,  or 
garden,  selects  a  pear-tree  for  that  purpose.  The  branch  is  seldom 
more  than  ten  feet  from  the  ground.  The  nest  is  about  an  inch  in 
diameter,  and  as  much  in  depth.  A  very  complete  one  is  now  lying 
before  me,  and  the  materials  of  which  it  is  c()m])osed  are  as  fol- 
lows: — The  wutward  coat  is  formed  of  snuill  ])ieces  of  a  species  of 
bluish  gray  lichen  that  vegetates  on  old  trees  and  fences,  thickly  glued 
on  with  the  saliva  of  the  bird,  giving  firmness  and  consistency  to  the 
whole,  as  well  as  keeping  out  moisture.  Within  this  are  thick  matted 
layers  of  the  fine  wings  of  certain  Hying  seeds,  closely  laid  together; 
and,  lastly,  the  downy  substance  from  the  great  mullein,  and  from  the 
stalks  of  the  common  fern,  lines  the  whole.  The  base  of  the  nest  is 
continued  round  the  stem  of  the  branch,  to  whicli  it  closely  adiieres; 
and,  when  viewed  from  below,  appears  a  mere  mossy  knot  or  accidental 
protuberance.  The  eggs  are  two,  pure  white  and  of  ciiual  thickness  at 
both  ends.  The  nest  and  eggs  in  the  plate  were  <'opied  with  great 
precision  and  by  actual  measurement,  from  one  jus!  taken  in  IVoni  the 
woods.  On  a  person's  approaching  their  nest,  the  little  proprietors 
dart  around  with  a  humming  sound,  pa.ssing  fre(|uently  within  a  few 
inches  of  one's  head;  and  should  the  young  lie  iu^nIv  liatclied,  the 
fennde  will  resume  her  place  on  the  lu'st  even  while  you  stand  within 
a  yard  or  two  of  the  spot.  The  precise  period  of  inenlnition  1  am 
unable  to  give;  but  the  young  are  in  the  habit,  a  short  time  befori'  they 
leave  the  nest,  of  thrustinir  their  liills  into  llie  months  of  tlieir  parents, 
and  sucking  what  they  have  in-onglit  them.  1  nevt'r  could  perceive  that 
they  carried  them  any  aninnil  foo(l ;  though,  from  circumstances  that 
will  presently  be  mentioned,  1  think  it  highly  ]>robable  they  do.  As  1 
hiive  found  their  nc^ts  with  eggs  so  late  as  tiie  twelflh  of  .Inly,  I  do  not 
doubt  but  that  they  frequently,  and  perhaiis  usually,  raise  two  broods 
in  the  sam(>  season. 

The  Humming  IJird  is  extremely  fond  <d'  tubular  llowers,  and  1  have 

V.ii..  I.— 14 


I 


V. 


r 


210 


iiuMMiNo  uiun. 


often  Mtoppcd,  with  ploftHuro,  to  oh.sorve  his  iimiiceiivros  amon^  tho  bloB- 
soin.s  of  the  t'-miipct  llowor.      VVlioii  iirrivt'il  before  a  thicivet  of  these 
that  are  full  blown,  he  poises,  or  suspends  himself  on  wing,  for  tlie  space 
of  two  or  three  seconds,  so  steadily,  that  his  wings  become  invisible, 
or  Qu]y  like  a  mist;  and  you  can  plainly  distinguish  the  pupil  of  his 
eye  looking  round  with  great  qui<;kness  and  cireuins|)e(!tion  ;  the  glossy 
gidden  green  i>f  his  back,  and  the  fire  of  his  tiirout,  dazzling  in  tho  sun, 
form  altogether  n  most  interesting  aj)pearanee.    The  position  into  which 
his  body  is  usually   thrown   while  in   the  act   of  thrusting  his  slender 
tubular  tongue  into  the  llower,  to  extract  its  sweets,  is  i-xhibited  in  tho 
figure  on  the  plate.      When  htt  alights,  which  is  frenuently,  lie  always 
prefera  the  snmll  (b-atl  twiga  of  »  tree,  or  bush,  where  he  dresses  and 
arranges  his  plumage  with  great  (b'Xterity.     Ills  only  note  is  a  single 
cliirp,  not  louder  than  that  of  a  small  cricket  or  grasshopper,  generally 
uttered  wliih    jiassing  from  flower  to  tlower,  or  when  engagetl  in   fight 
witli  his  Adlows  ;  for  when  two  males  meet  at  the  same  bush,  or  flower,  a 
battle  instantly  takes  placu^ ;  and  the  combatants  ascend    in    the  air, 
chirping,  darting  and  circling  round  each  other,  till  the  eye  is  no  longer 
able  to  follow  them.     The  con(]ueror,  however,  generally  returns  to  tho 
place  to  reap  the  fruits  of  his  victory.     I  have  seen  him  attack,  and  for 
a  f(Mv  moments  tease  the   KingHird;    ami    have   also  seen  him  in  hia 
turn,  assaulted  by  a  humble-bee,  which  he  .-oon  put  to  flight.      lie  is  one 
(»f  those  few  birds  that  are  universally  beloved ;  and  amidst  the  sweet 
dewy  seivnity  of  a  summer's  morning,  his  appearance  among  the  ar- 
bors of  honeysuckles,  and  beils  of  flowers,  is  truly  interesting. 

Whoii  inornit));  (lawii!*,  ami  tin-  Mc-^t  niim,  iigiiin 
liiftK  his  rcil  irldrii's  fniiii  tin'  KustiTn  iiiiiiii, 
Tlicii  tlir()u;cli  (Pur  wiMiilliiiics,  wvt  witli  ;,'litttTini;  dewH, 
Tli«  llowiT-Ci'il  Hiiiniiiiii^-liinl  liis  nmml  imrsues  ; 
Si|is  witli  iiiscrtiMi  tiilw,  the  boru'vi'il  Mipimis, 
.And  chirps  his  i^riititmlo  ii-*  roiiiul  hi"  nwims  ; 
Wliilf  richost  rosos,  though  in  uriiiiKon  tlrest, 
Shrink  from  the  s|>lt'inlor  of  his  nipriri'ims  hrcnst ; 
What  hrav'iily  tints  in  niin^rliii;^  railiuncr  liy  I 
Kat'h  rajpiil  inipvcnH'iit  irivcs  a  liitlpTi'iit  ilv(^ ; 
Liki!  Hoalos  of  l>iirni.sho>l  ;;olii  thi'y  <lazzlini:  show, 
Now  sink  to  slinde — now  liko  u  furimoe  }^Iow  I 


The  singularity  of  this  little  bird  has  indiiccil  inany  persons  to  attempt 
to  raise  them  from  the  nest,  ami  iiccustoni  them  to  the  cage.  Mr.  Coffer, 
of  Fairfax  county,  Virginia,  a  gentleman  who  has  paid  great  attention 
to  the  manners  and  peculiarities  of  our  native  birds,  told  me,  that  ho 
raised  and  kept  two,  for  some  months,  in  a  cage;  supplyirtg  them  with 
honey  dissolved  in  water,  on  which  they  readily  fed.     As  the  swectnesa 


HUMMING    I(  I  u  n. 


211 


of  the  li(|iii(l  ri'oquoiitly  Itrou^ht  small  ilioH  and  griatH  about  tlu>  cage, 
and  CM\),  tlic  liiriln  niiiiiscd  tlicinstOvcs  by  .siinppin;;  at  tlioin  on  wing,  and 
Hwallowing  tbiMii  with  oagfrncss,  so  that  tlicsc  insects  formed  no  incoii- 
sidcrablo  part  ot"  tlu'ir  food.     Mr.  Charles  Wilson  Poale,  proprietor  of 
the  Museum,  tells  me,  tliiit  he  had  two  young  Humming  Birds  whieh  he 
raised  from  the  nest.     They  use(l  to  fly  about  the  rocuus ;  and  would 
fre(|uently  pereh  on   Mrs.  i'eale's  shoulder  to  be  feil.     Wiieii   the  sun 
flhonc  strongly  into  the  ehainber,  he  has  observed  them  darting  after 
the  motes  that  floated   in   the  light,   as  Flycatchers   would   after  flies. 
In  the  summer  of  1803  a  nest  of  young  Iluuuning  Birds  was  brought 
me,  that  were  nearly  fit  to  fly.      One  of  them  actually  flew  out   by  the 
window  the  same  evening,  and  falling  against  a  wall,  was  killed.     The 
other  refuseil  food,  and  tht;  next  morning  I  crould  but  just  perceive  that 
it  had  life.      A  la<ly  in  the  house  undertook  to  be  its  nurse,  placed  it  in 
her  bosom,  and  as  it  began  to  revive,  dissolved  a  little  sugar  in  her  mouth, 
into  whieh  she  thrust  its  hill,  an<l  it  sucked  with  great  avidity.     In  this 
manner  it  was  brought  up  until  fit  for  the  cage.      I  kept   it  upwards  of 
three  months,  supiilie<l  it  with  loaf  sugar  dissolved  in  water  wiiich   it 
preferred  to  honey  and   water,    gave    it    fresh    flowers  every  morning 
sprinkled  with   tlie  li(|iiid,  and  surrounded  the  space  in  which  I  kept  it 
with  gauze,  that  it  miglit  not  injure  itself.    It  appeared  gay,  active,  and 
full  of  spirit,  hovering  from  flower  to  flower  as  if  in  its  native  wilds, 
and  always  expressed  by  its  motions  and  chirping,  great  pleasure  at 
seeing  fresh  flowers  introduced  to  its  cage.     Numbers  of  people  visited 
it  from  motives  of  eurinsity,  and  I  took  every  preeauti(Ui  to  preserve  it, 
if  possible, through  the  winter.     Unfortunately,  however,  by  some  means 
it  got  at  large,  and,  flying  about  the  room,  so   injured  itself   that  it 
soon  after  died. 

This  little  binl  is  <'xtrenu'ly  susceptible  of  cold,  and  if  lung  deprived 
of  ilii-  animating  inlluenee  of  the  sunbeams,  droops  and  soon  dies. 
A  very  beautiful  nnile  was  brought  me  this  season,  which  1  put  into  a 
wire  cage,  and  |»laeed  in  a  retired  shadeil  part  of  the  room.  After 
llutteriii;:  abnut  fur  some  time,  the  weather  beint;  uncdnmumlv  eciol.  it 
clung  by  the  wires,  and  hung  in  a  seemingly  torpid  state  for  a  whole 
forenoon.  No  mi'lion  whatever  of  the  lungs  eoulil  be  perceived,  on  the 
closest  insju'ction,  though  at  other  times  this  is  reniarkalilv  ubservalile  ; 
the  eyes  wei-e  shut  ;  and  when  touched  by  the  finger  it  gave  no  signs  of 
life  or  motion.  I  carried  it  out  to  the  open  air,  and  placed  it  directtv 
in  the  rays  of  the  sun,  in  a  sheltered  situation.  in  a  few  second- 
respiration  became  very  apparent  ;  the  binl  lii-eathed  fastei'  and  faster, 
opene(l  its  eyes,  and  began  to  look  about,  with  as  much  seeming  vivaeitv 
lis  ever.  After  it  had  completely  recovered,  I  restored  it  to  lilierty  ; 
and  it  flew  off  to  the  wither»'d  top  of   a   pear  tree,    where   it  sat  for 


» 


Wi»ytPWWi.iiglKJ'L'.]  I. 


m 


IIIIMMINd    ]>llll). 


I  m 


f  r] 

i  ■ 


!' 

'!1: 


BOiiu'  time  drcsning  its  disoidcroil   pliinm^^c,  iiimI  flxMi   hIioI  off  like  a 
nit'ffor. 

The  Hi^lif  of  tlio  Iliiniiniiij;  Hinl  from  flower  to  llowor,  jjicatly  rt'soin- 
bloM  tlitit  (if  II  lire,  but  is  so  iiiiK'li  inoi'c  rti|)iil,  tliMt  tlii>  liittcr  iippoarH  a 
moro  loittTcr  to  Iiiin.  lie  |ioi-;('s  liiiiisclf  on  win;;,  wliilc  lie  tliriists  liis 
lnii|;  sliMiilcr  tiilMiliir  tiiii^;iu>  into  tlic  ilovvrrs  in  search  of  food.  He 
Boinetiines  enters  a  room  by  the  window,  examines  the  hou(juets  of 
flowi-rs,  and  j)as.se.s  out  hy  the  o|)|)()sito  door  or  window.  He  Inis  been 
known  to  take  refnire  in  a  liot-lionse  diirinj^  the  cool  nights  of  auttinin  ; 
to  ^o  re^jidarly  out  in  the  morninj^,  and  to  return  as  re;^uhirly  in  tiio 
oveninj;,  for  several  days  to^jether. 

The  Hiiinmin;^  llird  has,  hitherto,  heen  supposed  to  subsist  altoj^ethor 
on  tile  honey,  or  liquid  sweets,  which  it  <-xtrMcts  fidin  lluwers.  ()n(!  or 
two  curious  observers  have  indeed  remarked,  that  they  have  found  evi- 
dent fra;;nu'nts  of  insi'cts  in  the  stomach  of  this  species  ;  but  these  have 
been  generally  iKdievcfl  to  ha\e  been  taken  in  by  accident.  The  few 
opportunities  which  Kuropeans  have  to  deterniitie  this  point  b_\  observa- 
tions made  (in  the  livin;;  bird,  or  by  dissection  (.f  the  newly-killed  ()nt>, 
have  reiidercd  this  mistaken  opinion  almost  j;eneral  in  Kurope.  Kor 
myself  I  can  sjteak  decisivtdy  on  this  subject.  I  have  seen  the  Hum- 
min^r  Hird  for  half  an  hour  at  a  time  darting  at  those  little  ;;rou]is  of 
insects  that  dance  in  the  air  in  a  fine  summer  eveninif,  retirinj'  to  an 
adjoiidiijir  twij;  to  rest,  and  reriewinj:  the  attack  with  a  dexterity  that 
sets  all  our  other  Flycatchers  at  defiance.  I  hav(>  opened  from  time  to 
time  j.'reat  numbers  of  thest>  birds;  have  t'xamined  tli  contents  of  tli(( 
.stouuK  h  with  suitalde  ;:lasses,  and  in  three  cases  out  of  four,  have  found 
tlu'sc  to  consist  of  broken  fra;'uieiits  of  insects.  In  maiiv  subiccts 
entire  insects  of  the  coleopterous  (dass,  but  very  small,  were  found 
Ui  biwikeii.  The  oliservalions  of  Mr.  Cofl'eras  delaile(l  above,  and  the 
reiiiark-i  nf  my  worthy  friend  Mr.  I'eale.  are  ('(irroboi  alive  of  these 
facts.  It  is  well  known  that  the  llumniiii;;  Itiid  i-  p.nticubd  ly  fond 
of  tubular  flowers  where  numerous  small  iusetrls  of  this  kind  resort  to 
fe(!d  on  the  farina,  itc.,  and  there  is  every  reason  for  btdieviiiji  that  he 
is  as  often  in  search  of  these  insects  as  of  honey;  and  that  !  n'  former 
compose  at  Ic.ist  as  j^reat  a  portion  ot  his  usual  sustenance  as  the  latter. 
If  this  food  be  so  necessary  for  the  parents  there  is  m;  (ioid.i  but  the 
yoiiii;;  also  occasionally  partake  of  it. 

To  enumerate  all  the  flowers  (d"  wliicli  this  little  bird  is  fond,  would 
be  to  repeat  tile  iiaiiies  of  half  our  Auieiican  l"'lora.  l-'rom  the  blos- 
soms of  the  towerinjr  po|d;ir,  or  tulip  tice.  ihroiiLdi  a  thousand  inter- 
mediate flowers  to  those  of  the  liiinible  larkspur,  he  lanires  at  will,  and 
almost  incessantly.  Kvery  period  of  the  season  |)ro(luees  a  fVe-li  multi- 
tude of  new   favorites.     Towards  the  month  of  September  then!  is  u 


<iili 


$■0 


IIUMMINO    HUM). 


218 


ydlow  flowor  wliitsh  j^roww  in  ^riiiit  liixuriiUKa'  rilonj^  tho  sidoH  of  crocks 
and  rivors,  ami  in  low  inoinl  MiriuilioiK* ;  it  ^^roww  to  tho  height  of  two 
or  tlirco  fout,  ami  tlio  tlowcr  wliicli  i.s  about  the  nizr  of  a  tliinihlo,  hangs 
in  the  shape  of  a  caj)  of  lihcrty  ahovo  a  luxuriant  j^rowth  of  grocn 
leaves.  It  is  the  Halndminit  noli  not  tauyere  of  botanists,  ami  is  tho 
createst  favorito  witli  tlic  lluinniiiii'  I?inl  of  all  our  othtT  llowiirs.      In 


Boino  places  wlicre  tlu's(!  plants  alioiiml  you  may  see  at  one  tunc  ten  or 
twelve  Iliiuiuiin^  Hinln  darting  about,  ami  fighting  with  and  pursuing 

01 

tl 


ich  other.     About  the  twentieth  of  September  they  ii;enerally  retire  to 

soini'tinies  seen  a  solitary  individual   on  tlMs 


le  soutli. 


I  Ii 


ave,  in 


Iced, 


twenty-eif^htli  and  thirtieth  of  tiiat  month,  and  sometimes  even  in  Octo- 
ber; but  these  cases  are  rare.  About  the  beginning  of  November  they 
pass  the  southern  boundary  of  the  United  States  into  Florida. 

The  llumniin;'  i>ird  is  three  indies  and  ii  half  in  lenjfth,  and  four  and 
a  quarter  in  cxtnit;  tlie  whole  liack,  ii|i|)it  ]mit  of  tln^  neek,  sid(!S 
under  the  wings,  tail  coverts,  and  two  middle  feathers  of  tho  tail,  arc 
of  a  rich  golden  green  ;  the  tail  is  forked,  and,  as  well  as  the  wings,  of 
a  deep  brownish  puiple;  the  bill  ami  eyes  are  black;  tlit!  legs  and  {vvX, 
both  of  which  are  exlreinely  Mimll,  are  also  black  ;  the  bill  is  straight, 
very  slender,  a  little  intlated  at  the  lip.  and  very  incompetent  to  the 
oxploit  of  penetrating  the  tiiigh  sinewy  side  of  u  crow,  and  precipitat- 
Ijig  it  from  the  clouds  to  the  earth,  as  Charlevoix  would  persuade  h 


IS 


readtM'S    to    believe 


'I'll 


e  nostril 


ire  tw(i  small  obloiit:  slits,  situattid 


at  the  base  of  the  upper  niiimlible,  scarcely  |)erceivable  when  the  bird 
is  dead,  thoiigli  very  distingiiishalde  and  prominent  when  living;  the 
sides  of  the  belly  and  belly  itself  dusky  wliitc,  mixed  with  green;  hut 


ihaf  consliliites   the  chief  oriiaiiieiit  ni'  this   little   bird,  i.s  llie  siileiu 


lor 


of  the  feathers  of  his  throat,  which  when  placed  in  a  |)i'oper  position, 
glow  with  all  the  brilliancy  of  the  ruby.  These  feathers  are  of  singular 
strength  and  texture,  lying  close  together  like  scales,  and  vary  when 
moveil  before  the  eye  from  a  decji  black  to  a  iiery  crimson  and  burning 
orange.  Tiie  temale  is  dotitiile  of  this  oinameiit ;  but  dilTers  little  in 
other  appearance  from  the  male;  her  tail  is  tipped  with  white,  and  the 
whole  lower  jiarts  are  of  the  same  tint.     The  young  birds  of  tin-  first 


seaso 


n,  bolli   male  tiiid   I'eiiiale,  have  the  tail  t 


ipped  with  white,  and 


th 


whole   lower  parts   iieai 


Iv  wliiti 


III 


the  iiioiiih  of  Sentember  the  on 


III 


eiital  feathers  on  the  throat  of  the  voiiiii' 


1)1 


males  begin  to  appear. 
On  dissection  the  heart  was  roiiml  to  be  remarkably  large,  ni>arly  us 
g   as    the 


cr 


allium  ;    aiitl    the    stomach,   thou;:li    ilisteiided   with    food. 


uncommonly  smal 


not    excee(liiii;    tin 


i;lob 


.f  t 


le   eve,  and   scarce 


more  than  one 


ly 


^ixlIl    part  a-i   lar^'e   as  ilie  lie;iil  ;    the   fibres  oi'  the   last 


Hist,  (le  la  Nov.  Fraiu'c,  III.,  p.  185. 


■.UUUHUHIIW 


214 


HUMMING    BIRD. 


were  also  exceedingly  strong.  Tlie  brain  was  in  large  (juantity,  and 
very  thin ;  tnc  ongue,  from  the  tip  to  an  extent  equal  with  the  length 
of  the  bill,  was  perforated,  forming  two  closely  attached  parallel  and 
cylindrical  tubes;  the  other  extremities  of  the  tongue  corresponded 
exactly  to  those  of  the  Woodpecker,  passing  up  the  hind  head,  and 
reaching  to  the  base  of  the  upper  mandible.  These  observations  were 
verified  in  five  different  subjects,  all  of  whose  stomachs  contained  frag- 
ments of  insects,  and  some  of  them  whole  cues. 


I'l  • 


END    OF    VOL.    I. 


